HYBRIT: A unique, underground, fossil-free hydrogen gas storage facility is being inaugurated in Luleå

Challenge the practice is addressing: At Svartöberget in Lulea, Sweden, SSAB, LKAB, and Vattenfall are launching the HYBRIT pilot facility for fossil-free hydrogen gas storage. The storage facility in the rock cavern is the first of its sort in the world.

Concrete practice to achieve the expected goal: A recognized technique called LRC (Lined Rock Cavern) will be used to evaluate hydrogen storage inside the storage facility. This indicates that the gas is kept underground in a cavern made of rock that is sealed off on all sides. Water electrolysis utilizing fossil-free power generates the hydrogen gas without using any fossil fuels. It’s important to build in rock of a type that maintains its good qualities. For instance, Svartöberget's bedrock is mostly amphibolite with minor amounts of pegmatite and red granite. The rock cavern at Svartöberget where the gas is kept is located around 100 meters from the entrance and 30 meters below ground level.

Expected impact/goal of the practice: SSAB can reduce Sweden's carbon dioxide emissions by 10% using HYBRIT technology.

Who is the target user group of the practice/intervention or implementing the practice/intervention? This practice is relevant for companies in the extractive industry (especially in the underground sector)