H2RESTORE Project Overview

Long-duration underground hydrogen storage

As more renewables enter the National Electricity Network and coal-fired power plants retire, balancing supply and demand is increasingly complex. Solving the “intermittency” problem is key to enabling the continued uptake of renewable energy resources.

H2RESTORE is being designed to generate hydrogen by electrolysis using abundant energy from the National Electricity Market and storing it in Lochard’s existing underground gas storage reservoirs located in Southwest Victoria.

The hydrogen can be converted back into electricity to supply the National Electricity Market when demand is high and supply is low, like in winter.

We are currently undertaking an 18 month feasibility study into the viability of storing hydrogen underground in our existing reservoirs near our Iona Gas Storage Facility

Our Feasibility Study

We are undertaking the necessary studies to determine the viability of underground hydrogen storage

Related Resources

A staged approach

The H2RESTORE Project is envisaged to be developed in 4 stages

Step 01

FEASIBILITY STUDY

An 18-month feasibility study to determine the viability of storing hydrogen in Lochard’s existing underground gas reservoirs, conduct engineering and early environmental studies, undertake community and stakeholder engagement and concept design for a pilot facility

Step 02

PILOT DEMONSTRATION FACILITY

If the feasibility study results in a viable outcome, a pilot facility will be developed from ~2025 to 2027 to demonstrate Lochard Energy’s capability to store hydrogen underground
Stage 01

COMMERCIAL FACILITY

If the H2RESTORE Project proceeds, the Stage 1 Commercial Facility will help support the NEM and improve system resilience and help ease upward pressure on electricity prices.  Stage 1 will be developed from ~2025 to 2030 with an estimated operation date of ~2030
Stage 02

COMMERCIAL POWER-TO-X

Stage 2 Power-to-X is an expansion of Stage 1 and will be developed from ~2030 onwards and will aim to use hydrogen as as a “building block” to generate synthetic fuels compatible and applicable for sectors such as the aviation and maritime industries

Next – Feasibility Study

We are undertaking the necessary studies to determine the technical and commercial viability of underground hydrogen storage.