Predicting hydrogen storage requirements through the natural gas market for a low-emission future

Abstract

This study presents a systematic workflow for estimating hydrogen storage capacity for a smooth energy transition from natural gas market to hydrogen market to achieve net-zero emissions. The workflow establishes maximum and minimum thresholds for hydrogen storage and considers appropriate storage techniques, including underground or surface facilities. The technique assesses environmental footprint of each storage technique and evaluates associated emission reductions. We apply this workflow to energy market in Alberta and project minimum and maximum storage thresholds of 0.28 and 5 megatonne/year (Mt/year) by 2050. Under three distinct storage scenarios, the storage capacity necessitates 128 salt caverns, 10 million compressed gas tanks, or 78,150 cryogenic liquefied tanks. Salt cavern storage emerges as a promising choice owing to its relatively lower emissions of 0.16 MtCO2e/year and a land footprint of 2.56 km2. The net emission reduction achieved is 1.47 MtCO2e/year, equivalent to 0.8% of Canada's target emission reduction of 190 MtCO2e/year by 2050.