A group of 11 European storage system operators, from seven EU countries, launched on Tuesday an alliance to promote underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in Europe, Kallanish reports.

The so-called H2eart for Europe aims to foster a “unified vision” regarding the role of hydrogen storage in achieving EU climate targets. The ceo-led initiative currently includes RAG Austria, Nafta, OMG, Gasunie, HGS, Teréga, Snam, Uniper, VNG, Storengy, and RWE.

The members say they can provide policymakers with their experience and “fact-based reports and analysis” to serve as guidance. In its inaugural report, the alliance highlights a 36 terawatt-hour gap between planned projects and required storage capacity by 2030. The current project pipeline stands at 9.1 TWh, but H2 storage demand is estimated at 45 TWh by 2030. Closing this gap would require around €18-36 billion ($19.6-39.2 billion) in investments, the alliance estimates.

H2eart for Europe defends that UHS is a scalable solution that unlocks hydrogen as a flexibility vector, enabling the expansion of renewable power in the energy mix. However, it warns that the development timeline usually ranges from 6 to 11 years, highlighting the need to “take action now.”

Amongst a series of recommendations, the report says that establishing a storage target would stimulate actors across the value chain to action, recognise UHS as a key technology for the future energy system and show commitment from EU policymakers. Some of the measures called for by the developers include shortening permitting processes and “fact-based” network planning, taking into account the potential of repurposing infrastructure and newly built storage sites.

“I welcome the launch of the H2eart for Europe underground hydrogen storage alliance. Collaboration is how we can truly move the needle,” comments European Commission’s vice-president Maros Sefcovic. “Let’s make the most of the stable regulatory framework we’re putting in place to spur investment and help jump-start the hydrogen economy.”

According to H2eart Europe, there currently are around 50 underground hydrogen storage projects under development in Europe, including salt caverns, aquifers, rock caverns and depleted gas fields.