Uniper Launches Hydrogen Storage Pilot in Germany

Uniper, Germany's largest natural gas storage operator, has inaugurated a pilot underground hydrogen storage facility in Krummhörn, Lower Saxony, which will undergo a two-year testing phase to assess material compatibility and storage dynamics. The cavern, with a volume of 3,000 cubic meters, will initially store nearly 500,000 standard cubic meters of green hydrogen, with commercial expansion plans targeting up to 250 GWh of capacity by 2030. The project is part of Germany's broader energy transition strategy and aims to pave the way for large-scale hydrogen storage solutions. A gas-tightness test is scheduled for September 24, 2024, after which operations will commence. If successful, Uniper could invest up to €500 million to enlarge the facility for commercial use in the following years. This initiative underscores Uniper's ambition to be a leader in the European hydrogen economy amid rising demand for carbon-neutral energy solutions.