Keuper Gas Storage Limited (KGSL) has launched a public consultation on plans to build a hydrogen storage facility in Cheshire, instead of a gas storage facility as had been planned.
The project between Lach Dennis and Middlewich in Cheshire involves the construction and operation of up to 19 underground salt cavities at Holford Brinefield and the surrounding area (north of Middlewich). In March 2017 the site won a Development Consent Order (DCO), but to store natural gas (ie methane). KGSL is now seeking a ‘Material Change’ to the DCO to store hydrogen rather than gas.
It says that once ‘solution mined’, the cavities will have the capacity to store some 1300GWh of hydrogen. If approved, it will be linked to the planned HyNet North West regional hydrogen and carbon capture network.
The proposed Material Changes to the consented DCO include:
• Storage of hydrogen rather than natural gas
• Consolidation of pipelines
• Changes to the gas processing plant area
• Hydrogen-compatible equipment, including a 50m flare instead of a vent
• Moving non-hydrogen equipment to an adjacent utility compound
• Above-ground infrastructure for connection to the HyNet hydrogen pipeline, instead of a connection to the gas National Transmission System (NTS).
The KGSP is being developed in a partnership between INEOS Inovyn and Storengy UK
Limited. INEOS subsidiary Inovyn Enterprises Limited is the landowner and would be responsible for the solution mining of brine. Storengy is a subsidiary of Engie, which operates the Stublach storage facility.