Lochard Energy received $2 million funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program for an 18-month feasibility study into the viability of storing hydrogen underground in our existing reservoirs near our Iona Gas Storage Facility.

Underground hydrogen storage has the potential to enable long‑duration, renewable energy storage – strengthening system resilience, supporting firming capacity, and helping deliver a more flexible and lower‑emissions energy future. This feasibility study, which is now published represents a significant step toward enabling large‑scale, low‑cost hydrogen storage to support Australia’s renewable energy transition by providing energy security for the National Electricity Market (NEM) and supplying emerging clean‑fuel industries.

A big thank you to ARENA and our research partners including CSIRO, SLB, Worley, Premier Strategy and all stakeholders for their technical expertise and support throughout Lochard’s H2RESTORE feasibility study.

The H2RESTORE Feasibility Study, included the following activities:

• Further investigated the underground reservoirs to assess if hydrogen can be stored safely underground and confirm the expected quantity of hydrogen that can be stored;

• Developed concept designs for a possible pilot facility and commercial scale development;

• Assessed site location options for both the pilot and commercial development concepts using a Multi-Criteria Assessment (MCA) and community, Traditional Owner and landholder consultation;

• Undertook stakeholder and community engagement to understand public sentiment and views that can be considered in the development of the Project; and

• Undertook economic analysis to understand commercial viability of the Project and studies to understand how the H2RESTORE Project might commercially support the energy transition.