Hybrit prepares hydrogen storage facility

Hybrit, the SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall joint venture aimed at developing fossil-free steelmaking, has started construction of a rock cavern storage facility for fossil-free hydrogen next to its pilot facility in Lulea, Sweden.

The facility is expected to be operational from 2022 until 2024 and is set to play a pivotal role in large-scale hydrogen production, LKAB tells Kallanish.

“Storage provides the opportunity to vary demand for electricity and stabilise the energy system by producing hydrogen when there’s a lot of electricity, for example in windy conditions, and to use stored hydrogen when the electricity system is under strain,” says Andreas Regnell, head of strategy at Vattenfall and chairman of the board at Hybrit.

Later in 2021, the Hybrit pilot facility is expected to start producing fossil-free sponge iron for the manufacture of fossil-free steel. “The initiative has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10% in Sweden and 7% in Finland. The steel industry today accounts for 7% of total global carbon dioxide emissions,” Hybrit explains.

Emanuele Norsa Italy