Steel tube manufacturer Vallourec presented its new "Delphy" hydrogen storage system at Hyvolution in Paris. It also declared its intention to collaborate with H2V, another French hydrogen producer, on a 600 MW project in the port of Marseille Fos. This is where the storage system is to be installed for the first time.
Delphy is a new, vertical storage system for hydrogen. It consists of underground pipelines that can store hydrogen at a maximum pressure of 500 bar at a depth of up to 100 meters. The capacity is between one and 100 tons of gaseous hydrogen. It is cost-efficient and therefore particularly suitable for applications in industry and heavy-duty mobility. Vallourec wants to establish itself as an "important player in the hydrogen value chain" with the new storage product.
Vallourec wants to become a major hydrogen player
Vincent Designolle, Director of Hydrogen at Vallourec, explained: "We can tailor the process and instrumentation diagram precisely to the process." Overall, it is therefore a very adaptable solution." He added that there is an "increasing need for large storage facilities with several tons of hydrogen", particularly due to rising production and price fluctuations.
The first test program with the hydrogen storage system is set to take place this year, according to the companies. According to H2V, it has already carried out several demonstrations at the project site in Marseille Fos over the course of 2023. Hydrogen production capacities of up to 600 MW are to be created here on an area of 40 hectares. The production of e-fuels is also planned.
