The hydrogen was injected into the natural gas system to reach a storage well and will remain there for observation for several weeks before being extracted and analysed.
The injection, which was completed within a day, is a key test for the next stage of a major project led by the DLVAgglo urban community and Géométhane. This project aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the Marseille-Fos-Sur-Mer industrial site, particularly using green hydrogen.
Storing hydrogen in salt caverns will contribute to local energy independence by helping balance the production and use of different energy sources. Hydrogen can be extracted on demand to cope with peaks in consumption or re-injected to store surplus energy supplied by nuclear power stations and renewable sources when energy use is lower.
Matthieu Guesné, founder and CEO of Lhyfe, said: “We are proud to be contributing to this trial, which demonstrates the extent of the possibilities offered by hydrogen, not only in terms of decarbonising mobility and industry, but also in terms of energy storage, which is a necessary component of our energy independence. As more and more sites begin to produce green hydrogen, the question of storage will become central.”
