More than a kilometre beneath the surface at the Fluxys Loenhout site in the province of Antwerp, there is a unique geological structure suitable for storing gaseous molecules. Since 1985, it has been used to store and subsequently retrieve natural gas.
Fluxys has been studying the feasibility of this project for the past three years, in collaboration with Geostock, a leader in underground storage. Based on field tests, Fluxys now wants to further analyse sustainable storage options at this unique underground site, in partnership with Ghent University. The joint project, named BE-HyStore, is supported by the federal government's Energy Transition Fund.
Currently, the Loenhout site plays a vital role in the security of Belgium's natural gas supply. It goes without saying that Fluxys wishes to continue to perform this role for hydrogen in the future. Moreover, hydrogen is a molecule that can offer a very high level of security of supply for renewable energy, even during winter periods when there is little wind or sunshine. With a potential hydrogen storage capacity of 2.4?TWh, equivalent to 30?million electric vehicles, the Loenhout site could play an integral role.
Alexander De?Croo, Belgian Prime Minister, said: "As a country, we are taking a new step every day to produce our own energy and drive down the price for our citizens and businesses. Energy from sun and wind is largely dependent on weather conditions. By storing the energy produced as hydrogen on land, demand can be better met. Here in Loenhout, gas has been stored for decades. Now we are starting to test storage of non-fossil energy sources. Our hydrogen strategy does not remain just fine declarations, but is being put into practice."
Tinne Van?der?Straeten, Federal Minister of Energy, said: "Hydrogen is essential to greening our heavy industry and meeting our climate goals. As with offshore wind, we are making Belgium a leader in green hydrogen: a few months ago with the construction of the first hydrogen pipelines, and today with hydrogen storage at Loenhout. This highly innovative concept has emerged from a research project supported by the Energy Transition Fund. Our energy strategy is aimed at taking our energy future into our own hands through renewable energy and accelerating our energy independence. We are paving the way to a sustainable and climate-neutral future for our country."
Pascal De?Buck, CEO of Fluxys, commented: "Storing energy in the form of hydrogen molecules is key to providing flexibility and security for our energy system in the future. With this pilot project, we are demonstrating our determination to support and speed up the energy transition by leveraging all the advantages of our infrastructure."