Exolum Pilots Green Hydrogen Storage in UK Oil Infrastructure
Key Ideas
- Exolum initiates a pioneering project in Britain to utilize existing oil infrastructure for storing and transporting green hydrogen at a commercial scale using LOHC technology.
- The innovative approach aims to address challenges in the hydrogen economy by leveraging fossil fuel storage and pipelines for quicker deployment of green hydrogen produced through renewable energy sources.
- The project, supported by the British government, involves transporting 20 metric tons of hydrogen through a 1.5 km pipeline at the Immingham freight port, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of the system.
- Exolum plans to release a comprehensive report early next year outlining the potential costs and advantages of incorporating green hydrogen into the existing oil infrastructure.
Exolum, a Spanish oil storage infrastructure company, has launched a pilot project in the United Kingdom to experiment with using conventional oil infrastructure for the storage and transportation of green hydrogen on a large scale. The initiative, reported by Reuters, involves the use of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) – compounds that can absorb and release hydrogen through chemical reactions. This method allows for hydrogen to be stored in liquid form, marking a significant advancement in the hydrogen industry. Exolum's goal with this project is to tackle a critical issue in the hydrogen economy: the safe and cost-effective transport of hydrogen to end users.
By repurposing existing fossil fuel storage facilities and pipelines, Exolum aims to accelerate the adoption of green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy sources. The company, with partial ownership from prominent entities like CVC, Macquarie, OMERS, and Credit Agricole, will utilize its infrastructure at the Immingham freight port in the UK. The project, backed by a £505,000 grant from the British government, will involve transporting 400 m3 of LOHC containing 20 metric tons of hydrogen through a 1.5 km pipeline, showcasing the practicality and efficacy of the system.
Additionally, Exolum plans to release a detailed report in the coming months outlining the potential economic costs and benefits associated with integrating green hydrogen into the existing oil infrastructure. This endeavor represents a significant step towards establishing a more sustainable and efficient hydrogen transportation system, contributing to the ongoing efforts to decarbonize various sectors dependent on fossil fuels. The project highlights the innovation and adaptability of traditional oil infrastructure in embracing cleaner energy solutions for a greener future.
Topics
Europe
Renewable Energy
Transportation
Cost Efficiency
Pilot Project
Pipeline
Oil Storage
Infrastructure Reuse
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