Our storage forms

As a committed player in the energy transition, Storengy offers its industrial clients throughout the world innovative solutions in energy storage. In France, Germany and the United Kingdom, Storengy designs, develops and operates three types of underground natural gas storage sites. Let’s explore an aquifer storage site together!

During periods of low consumption, usually in summer, the gas is transported to the storage site through pipelines. The entering volume is measured and, if necessary, the gas is compressed in compressors. After that, it passes through a manifold, which is a set of pipes equipped with valves to distribute the gas to the buried pipelines which lead to the different wells located around the plant. To guarantee the safety and containment of the gas, the wells are systematically equipped with protection devices at the surface and underground. The gas is then injected through metal pipes with a diameter of about 10 centimetres into the aquifer, a permeable layer of water-impregnated rock which is located at a depth of 450 to 2,000 metres and which spreads over several kilometres. In some cases, gas may be injected into a former oil or natural gas reservoir. This is what we call storage in depleted reservoirs. As the gas pressure is higher than the water pressure, the water is pushed away by the gas which partially takes its place in the rock without disturbing the underground’s natural structure. This reservoir is located below an impermeable cap rock which keeps the gas from escaping. Its containment is monitored with observation wells.

During peak consumption periods (in the winter), the gas is withdrawn from the reservoir. It naturally rises inside the well, which reduces the reservoir pressure. Then, it circulates through buried pipelines again, towards the manifold. It is then subjected to a treatment linked to its underground stay, a desulphurisation to eliminate traces of hydrogen sulphide and a dehydration process to remove the water it contains. This “withdrawal water” is collected for treatment. If the gas pressure is not sufficient to supply the transmission network, it needs to be compressed. For safety reasons, it is odorised and its quality is monitored in a laboratory. After measuring the outgoing volume, it goes into the transport pipelines.

All operations are remotely controlled from a control room. Thanks to their large capacity and their local anchorage, aquifer storage sites ensure a reliable and continuous supply of natural gas throughout the year. They are indispensable to cover the necessary needs during winter consumption peaks and guarantee a territory’s security of supply.

And for the future, Storengy is already thinking about renewable gas storage in its reservoirs to support the energy transition.

As a committed player in the energy transition, Storengy offers its industrial clients throughout the world innovative solutions in energy storage.  In France, Germany and the United Kingdom, Storengy designs, develops and operates three types of underground natural gas storage sites. Let’s explore a salt cavern storage site together!

During periods of low consumption, usually in summer, the gas is transported to the storage site through pipelines. The entering volume is measured and the gas is compressed in compressors. Then, it passes through a manifold. This is a set of pipes equipped with valves to distribute the gas to the buried pipelines which lead to the different wells located around the plant. To guarantee the safety and containment of the gas, the wells are systematically equipped with protection devices at the surface and underground. These wells are fit with metal pipes with a diameter of about 10 centimetres leading to caverns created artificially by injecting fresh water into deep salt layers which are totally impermeable and located at a depth of 500 to 1,500 m. The pressurised gas is injected through these wells to the caverns, which thus constitute storage facilities.

During peak consumption periods (in the winter), the gas is withdrawn from the caverns. It naturally rises into the well, reducing the pressure inside the cavern, and circulates through the buried pipelines towards the manifold once again. It is then subjected to a treatment linked to its underground stay, a dehydration process to remove the water it may contain. This “withdrawal water” is collected for treatment. In some cases, if the gas pressure is not sufficient to supply the transmission network, it needs to be compressed. For safety reasons, it is odorised and its quality is monitored in a laboratory. After measuring the outgoing volume, it goes into the transport pipelines.

All operations are remotely controlled from a control room. Thanks to their large capacity and their local anchorage, salt cavern storage sites ensure a reliable and continuous supply of natural gas throughout the year. They are indispensable to cover the necessary needs during winter consumption peaks and guarantee a territory’s security of supply.

And for the future, Storengy is already thinking about renewable gas storage in its caverns to support the energy transition.

Today, we realise that decarbonisation cannot be based on electricity alone. Green gases are going to play a role, and renewable hydrogen is one of them!

Many territories and cities in the world and in France have already taken the plunge by opting for this innovative and efficient alternative to fossil fuels.

In the field of mobility, it is one of the best solutions to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution. For the industry, it is a means to decarbonise activities and thus contribute to the struggle against climate change.

But hydrogen has been known for a long time. So why now?

First of all, because of the climate emergency. We have to rethink our energy system, which is still producing too much greenhouse gas. We are now able to produce renewable hydrogen locally. Moreover, many industrial players have already implemented initiatives in this direction and more and more States are supporting projects in the world and in Europe. In France, for instance, the recovery plan voted in 2020 is fully in line with a major European strategy. It includes 7 billion euros by 2030 to support the creation of a French industrial hydrogen sector.

So is hydrogen a miracle energy source?

Hydrogen can be used for all purposes requiring an energy source. It is the only fuel for vehicles which discharges only water. It is already being used in mobility solutions such as buses and refuse trucks, and it is even considered for aircrafts. However, to have a true impact on the environment, it needs to be produced and used on a large scale. The massification of uses will make it possible to reduce costs.

Hydrogen also has another advantage: unlike electricity, it can be stored in large quantities and for a long time.

But what’s hydrogen?

Today, 95 % of the hydrogen is produced from fossil, CO₂ emitting energy sources. In the future, hydrogen will be completely renewable. The good news is that we already know how to produce it from renewable electricity through water or brine electrolysis, and we also know how to store it.

Storengy, a leader in natural gas storage for more than 70 years, supports local authorities and industrial companies in making a successful energy transition.

Infrastructures, such as natural gas storage facilities, are also preparing their transition to enable the storage of green energies such as hydrogen.

That’s it! Now you know (almost) everything about hydrogen.

At Storengy, we know that it is already today’s energy and that it is going to enable us to live better and preserver our planet. So what are we waiting for?