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 produce hydrogen by electrolysis using excess energy from the National Electricity Market (likely generated during periods of renewable oversupply) and storing it in existing underground gas storage reservoirs located in Southwest Victoria.
The stored hydrogen can be used as a deep energy reserve to support the National Electricity Market (NEM) during times of energy supply shortages. It could also provide a consistent supply of lower-cost hydrogen to the emerging clean fuels industry and other hard to abate sectors.
We are currently undertaking an 18 month feasibility study into the viability of storing hydrogen underground in existing depleted reservoirs near our Iona Gas Storage Facility
Our Feasibility Study
Related Resources
A Staged Approach
The H2RESTORE Project is proposed to be developed in stages which each phase of the Project including community and stakeholder consultation and feedback.
FEASIBILITY STUDY
Firstly, Lochard Energy is undertaking an 18-month Feasibility Study to investigate the technical and commercial viability of storing hydrogen in underground existing depleted gas reservoirs. This study is underway and is expected to conclude at the end of Q3 2025. Following the Feasibility Study each subsequent phase of the Project will be subject to the necessary regulatory approvals, and approval from Lochard Energy’s board of directors as representatives of Lochard Energy’s investors.
PILOT DEMONSTRATION FACILITY
Following the Feasibility Study, a potential Demonstration Pilot may be developed to test small-scale storage of hydrogen in one suitable depleted gas reservoir. While the Demonstration Pilot is expected to be small in scale it will still be subject to necessary regulatory approvals.
COMMERCIAL FACILITY
Lochard Energy’s current Project timeline is targeting commercial operation of underground hydrogen storage to occur in the early 2030’s with the possibility of being used for firming of the NEM via long duration energy storage, and/or to provide a source of lower-cost hydrogen supply to a renewable fuels project or the clean fuels industry.
Next – Feasibility Study
We are undertaking the necessary studies to determine the technical and commercial viability of underground hydrogen storage.