Scientific confirmation of the successful demonstration of Underground Sun Storage
The scientific paper documents the results of the Underground Sun Storage 2030 demonstration project and describes the world’s first successful demonstration of the storage of pure hydrogen in an underground natural gas reservoir. It focuses on the technical implementation, operational experience gained from two storage cycles, the quality of the recovered hydrogen, and the safety and integrity aspects of the storage facility. Furthermore, the technical feasibility and operational performance of the technology under real-world operating conditions are assessed. The publication demonstrates that hydrogen can be stored safely, seasonally and on a large scale in porous underground storage facilities, thereby making an important contribution to the future energy supply.
Scientific recognition for a milestone in the energy transition
RAG Austria is delighted with the publication of the research findings from the Underground Sun Storage 2030 project in the renowned specialist journal *International Journal of Hydrogen Energy*. The publication represents a significant milestone for the national and international hydrogen economy and underlines the technological leadership of RAG and Austria in the field of large-scale hydrogen storage.
With this newly published and citable paper, the results of the demonstration operation are not only scientifically documented but also validated through an international peer-review process. This marks the first time a comprehensive, peer-reviewed and robust publication has been produced, confirming the successful completion of the Underground Sun Storage demonstration operation. The results show that the seasonal storage of green hydrogen in porous sandstone reservoirs is technically safe and operationally manageable.
The publication is also particularly relevant in view of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL ) 7 that has been achieved. The successful operational data from the demonstration project demonstrates that the technology has moved beyond the research and development phase and has taken the decisive step towards industrial-scale deployment. This provides scientific confirmation that underground hydrogen storage in sandstone formations can be utilised as a key component of a future energy system. The publication provides an important scientific basis for the further scaling up of the technology and for future investment in European hydrogen infrastructure.
The scientific publication is also of great significance for national and international funding bodies, public authorities, research institutions and industry partners. As a citable reference, it creates transparency, traceability and confidence in the results achieved, and forms an important basis for further research, demonstration and investment projects in the hydrogen sector.
This article was written in collaboration with co-authors from Axiom GmbH and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU).
The projects received financial support from the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) for the flagship project USS2030 (www.uss-2030.at, FFG project no. 880764) and by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the European Union for the EUH2STARS flagship project (www.euh2stars.eu, grant agreement ID: 101137798). These formed the basis of this publication. Further CAPEX costs were partly funded by Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC application no. C062754).
About the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
The International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (IJHE) is one of the world’s leading scientific journals in the fields of hydrogen technologies, the hydrogen economy and renewable energy systems. For decades, the journal has been publishing research findings on hydrogen production, storage, transport, infrastructure and applications. Thanks to its high scientific reputation, international reach and rigorous quality standards, a publication in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy is regarded as one of the most important specialist publications in the hydrogen sector. The publication of the findings from Underground Sun Storage 2030 underscores the international relevance of this research and its significance for the further development of the hydrogen economy.
