Hydrogen storage in salt caverns is increasingly recognised as a practical component of Europe’s low-carbon energy strategy. Supported by the European Commission and national governments, this solution enhances the resilience and flexibility of future hydrogen infrastructure.

It is also being incorporated into the European Hydrogen Backbone, the cross-border network designed to connect production hubs with areas of high demand. With their ability to store large volumes and respond to supply-demand fluctuations, salt caverns provide a reliable way to stabilise the hydrogen system.

Several Member States are now integrating large-scale storage into their national hydrogen strategies. In Germany, major investments are underway to convert existing gas storage sites into hydrogen-ready infrastructure.

According to a white paper by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the country’s salt caverns have the potential to meet long-term hydrogen storage needs not only domestically, but also at the European scale.

In this context, both salt caverns and porous reservoirs are expected to play a central role...

1.What’s your role in the FrHyGe project and which key experiences prepared you to lead your respective work packages ?

H. Djizanne: As leader of Work Package 5, I am responsible for the environmental, safety, and regulatory assessment of the FrHyGe project. My role is to ensure that underground hydrogen storage operations are developed within a robust safety framework, anticipating potential risks and ensuring compliance with national and EU regulations...

A. Réveillère: I lead Work Package 2, which includes defining the Manosque demonstrator’s objectives and the technological/scientific developments relevant to underground hydrogen storage. My preparation for this role comes from two key experiences. First, in 2021, while working with Storengy for Géométhane, I proposed cycling between GA and GB caverns...

Following this, Enagás rolled out its Public Participation Plan for Spain’s largest hydrogen backbone network. Stretching 2,600 km across 13 autonomous communities and over 550 municipalities, this project plays a major role in decarbonizing sectors that can’t be electrified, while encouraging sustainable reindustrialization. The plan has found strong support, especially in Castilla-La Mancha...

Matthieu Keime, Head of Hydrogen Storage at Storengy Deutschland pointed out: 

"Thanks to the funding from the Connecting Europe Facility, we can take the next step in the implementation of our SaltHy project. Our hydrogen storage facility in Harsefeld will have an impact beyond Germany's borders thanks to its location at the crossroads of import routes from Denmark and the Netherlands. This is why the EU is funding the study phase of our project. Such funding is essential for the ramp-up of a European hydrogen Economy" 

The project is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and its members

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