Project Overview

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Lochard Energy recieved funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program for an18 month feasibility study into the viability of storing hydrogen underground in our existing reserviors near our Iona Gas Storage Facility

Our feasibility study will involve studies to investigate the technical and commercial viability of storing hydrogen in depleted underground gas reservoirs and conduct engineering and early environmental studies.

The feasibility study will help progress the project to the next stage, which is the development of a small-scale pilot demonstration facility required ahead of potentially developing the project into a commercial scale operation by the early 2030s.

The feasibility study will investigate subsurface properties, concept design for the pilot facility, understand recycled water supply concept design, techno-economics, power connection studies, identify potential development partners, undertake extensive community engagement, regulatory engagement, environmental and cultural heritage due diligence.

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 – Benefits

We believe the H2RESTORE Project could hold true potential to transform the way energy is stored and used