Wodór a podziemne magazynowanie energii w strukturach solnych

The most abundant and common element in the Universe is hydrogen. Hydrogen is a prevailing chemical element throughout the Earth. It is present in molecule form in the atmosphere, in minimum quantities – traces, close to the Earth surface. Dominant component of the high layers of the atmosphere where is rare, diluted. 40% of the current world production comes from the process in which the hydrogen is a by-product of electrolysis, heavy chemistry (synthesis gas) or the refining of crude oil. Hydrogen is the cleanest source–carrier of energy. Major hydrogen markets are ammonia fertilizer production and conversion of heavy oil and coal into liquid fuels. There are few production methods but primary we can focus on stea • CH₄ + H₂O -> CO +3 H₂ • CO + H₂O-> CO₂ +H₂ Fossil fuels are burnt to provide the heat to drive the chemical process (let’s consider the role of the nuclear energy as well). Energy required to make hydrogen is dependent upon the feedstock. Natural gas – reduction of hydrogen in chemical way (the lowest energy input to make hydrogen); coal – hydrogen deficit; water (H₂O – oxidized hydrogen) There are many underground gas storages systems among the European Union countries. Especially salt caverns dedicated for hydrocarbon’s storage are widely described in the literature (e. g. Kaliski et al., 2010; Kunstman et al., 2009). There is still, unfortunately, no experience with hydrogen storage in Poland. And the EU hydrocarbons salt caverns have only the UK, France (including hydrogen storage), Germany, Denmark, Portugal and Poland (Gillhaus, 2008). Dedicated programme for hydrogen storage was implemented in the EU in 2002 called “Towards a European Hydrogen Energy Roadmap Preface to HyWays – the European Hydrogen Energy Roadmap Integrated Project” (more information can be found on www.HyNet.info). There is a new research programme in the field of transmission and storage of the hydrogen for energy purposes currently held in Germany. The total length of the hydrogen gas in Europe is about 1500 km. But still, there is no experience with hydrogen storage as an energy source for energy sector. The best carrier of energy. A key issue facing researchers is the use of technology of hydrogen for storage of energy and construction of salt caverns which will meet safety requirements regarding tightness and stability. One should consider that: • construction of the caverns is determined by the ability of the use of the brine; • caverns (geological structures) must comply with the integrity and stability; • such energy warehouses should be located close to the potential end user of hydrogen and electricity network (infrastructure is a key). The next several years perspective shows that, the emergence of underground cavern storage of any surplus energy in the form of hydrogen would have the following environmental benefits: a) storage of surplus of such energy and its subsequent recovery in an environmentally cleaner process - without the additional emission’s issues, b) ecological safety of underground storage of energy, similar to the existing underground gas storage facilities, oil and fuel, c) underground storage efficiency and eco-friendly much higher when compared to systems hydroelectric pumped storage, d) better technically and economically feasible - to use periodic overcapacity power plants and the related real decrease in CO2 emissions, e) easier integration in the energy system of large wind and solar energy farms, reducing potential problems with a large share of RES in the energy balance of the country, f) limitation of conventional combustion of fossil fuel, g) hydrogen is the cleanest source of energy, h) enable the development of fuel cell (hydrogen) in the automotive industry, the decrease of emissions, i) to dispose of CO2 by the use of hydrogen and CO2 to eventually methane production in upstream projects. Let’s imagine for a moment a project that combines: • hydrogen production by electrolysis using excess wind power and solar energy to produce it; • optimize the demand for hydrogen in chemical processes also by its storage in salt caverns; • hydrogen storage processes resulting in refinery and petrochemical plants and possibly by electrolysis of surplus energy generated in non-conventional and renewable power. The future of interim storage of surplus energy may lie in underground caverns leached (leached) in salt deposits, which can be stored as compressed air (Compressed Air Energy System) or hydrogen. We are aware and we are positive that the subject is not easy, but we also believe that this fuel of the future - hydrogen – is going to turn of the centuries: XXI and XXII. That is why today we need to outline our descendants. New generations of these lines of energy development that will allow Humanity to become a Galactic Energy Society.