The HyCavern project aims to develop and validate solutions for large-scale hydrogen storage in lined rock caverns (LRC). Coordination is handled by SINTEF Industry in Trondheim. The project is led by Pierre-Rolf Cerasi and Mohammad Masoudi. The initiative is funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
Unlike salt caverns or depleted natural gas reservoirs, lined rock caverns, according to the consortium, are not dependent on specific geological formations. They are intended to be used in regions where conventional underground storage is not available. The concept combines mining-engineered cavities with steel and concrete linings and monitoring systems.
Low-carbon concrete, 3D-printed sensors, and other components go into testing
Over the next three years, the consortium plans to develop several technical components. These include steel linings with laser welding techniques and protective coatings designed to reduce hydrogen embrittlement, fatigue, and leakage risks. Tests are also planned with low-carbon concrete for the rock interface, simulation and optimization tools for different geological conditions, as well as monitoring systems with fiber optic sensors, 3D-printed sensors, and digital twins.
Furthermore, the overall concept is to be validated under realistic operating conditions. A GIS-based tool is to support site selection in Europe. Additionally, a techno-economic assessment including a business model analysis is planned.
In addition to SINTEF, the consortium includes Fundación Hidrógeno Aragón (Spain), the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), TU Delft (Netherlands), the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT (Germany), AGH University of Science and Technology Krakow (Poland), the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo (Switzerland), Baker Hughes, Deloitte, and Picum MT (Germany). Further information is provided by the consortium at www.hycavern.eu.
