- dCarbonX Expansion Of Pioneering Hydrogen Storage Initiative For Belfast City.
dCarbonX Ltd (“dCarbonX”) is pleased to announce plans are advancing rapidly for the development of large and secure underground hydrogen storage in Belfast, Northern Ireland with a target to reduce carbon-intensive natural gas usage.
This ambitious decarbonisation plan will use 70 MW of electrolysers to generate hydrogen which is significant in a broader European context. Breakthrough electrolyser technology will be used in the process of splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen.
The hydrogen storage solution is being developed by dCarbonX for its partner B9 Energy (“B9”). Both companies are members of the ‘Belfast Power-to-X’ (“BP2X”) Collaborative Network, which is focused on the decarbonisation of the Belfast city region. BP2X is supported by Invest Northern Ireland through its Collaborative Growth Programme.
To deliver on this ambitious goal, dCarbonX is developing a pioneering & safe subsurface hydrogen storage solution using liquid hydrogen. This scalable technology could also potentially be rolled out globally at storage sites such as processing hubs & refuelling stations.
Hydrogen storage is the essential element to fully exploit the energy potential of intermittent renewables such as wind & solar. Hydrogen is a zero-carbon fuel and storing hydrogen means that energy providers can guarantee consumers a reliable source of energy when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining.
Tony O’Reilly, Chief Executive Officer of dCarbonX, stated:
Safe subsurface energy storage is a key enabler for the balanced growth of intermittent renewable energy production from wind and solar.
“Hydrogen is a clean fuel as well as being ideal for underground storage. Drawing on our subsurface knowledge & strategic partnerships, dCarbonX has developed an innovative solution for the safe and secure underground storage of liquid hydrogen for Northern Ireland.”
Since January, an initial geological assessment of two high-graded storage sites has been completed and an appropriate modular and scalable subsurface storage solution has been selected to progress to the next stage. A detailed logistics & drilling feasibility assessment is now underway. Regulatory consent and commercial agreements will be required for final project sanction.
David Surplus OBE, B9 Energy’s CEO, commented:
The Hydrogen Economy envisages using hydrogen as a clean & sustainable energy source to eliminate carbon emissions and facilitate the Energy Transition.
“As part of this project, B9 Energy is deploying advanced hydrogen production technology in Belfast that can be deployed faster, produce hydrogen more reliably and is more cost-effective than current alternatives.“
Niall Casey, Director of Skills and Competitiveness, Invest NI stated:
This hydrogen storage initiative by BP2X Collaborative Network members dCarbonX and B9 Energy could see Belfast playing a leading role in the future of hydrogen storage & global decarbonisation.
“We are pleased to support this innovative energy infrastructure initiative that can develop local technical expertise and supply chains, ultimately enabling clean and cost-effective energy to be delivered safely to homes and businesses across Northern Ireland.”
The development of the hydrogen economy is supported by Invest NI through its Collaborative Growth Programme which is aimed at SME-led networks and provides support for groups to pursue innovative collaborative projects with the potential to increase business competitiveness.
Source: EXPANSION OF PIONEERING HYDROGEN STORAGE INITIATIVE FOR BELFAST CITY, June 14, 2021
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