Vallourec : reg; New Energies strategy provides lift-off for hydrogen storage projects across Europe

The global community is moving away from fossil fuels to alternative sources of energy that are eco-friendly. Hydrogen is an important element when it comes to producing clean energy and it's therefore vital to have a reliable and secure way to store it. The solution lies in large underground salt caverns, which are crucial to ensuring a stable and dependable energy supply. Vallourec, a leading energy firm, is involved in numerous hydrogen storage projects across Europe as part of their Vallourec® New Energies initiative, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable energy.

Hydrogen energy is getting more and more popular for its many uses in different fields. This makes it an important part of the worldwide effort to reduce carbon emissions. Hydrogen can be used in many different ways, such as in factories, transportation, and energy storage. This versatility makes hydrogen a powerful tool that can change the way we use energy.

Over 50 nations are currently putting into practice their hydrogen plans, proving just how important hydrogen is in the world. Based on our calculations, the international hydrogen industry stands at approximately €150 billion, but it's expected to soar to even greater heights in the near future.

Vincent Designolle is an executive at Vallourec® New Energies with expertise in hydrogen.

Although there is optimism, the difficulty at present is that only a small portion, less than 5%, of hydrogen today is eco-friendly and has low emissions. Vincent emphasizes the need for a solution to this problem and suggests a plausible option of substituting gray hydrogen with substitutes that are low-carbon or green. This has become a major concern for the team at Vallourec, and they have made it their priority to delve into this matter.

What's the best place to keep all of that hydrogen?

With the rise in clean production of hydrogen energy, the concern about storage arises. Vincent emphasizes the significance of hydrogen storage and states that natural gas already has 10-15% going to underground facilities. However, due to the variations in hydrogen production through electrolysis, it could be even more. Even with lower estimates, the storing requirement would be massive. This is where their expertise comes into play.

As more and more projects come up to cater to the growing demand for hydrogen, it is extremely important to focus on developing storage solutions for salt caverns and also overcome the technical challenges involved.

Hydrogen storage is particularly tricky because it involves some special challenges, mainly regarding the chances of leakage and compatibility with different materials. Due to its tiny molecular size, hydrogen is more likely to leak compared to other gases.

Justine Bernard holds the position of Hydrogen Storage Technical Manager at Vallourec.

Another challenge is that steel, which is often utilized in conventional energy industries, may become brittle when exposed to hydrogen.

Vallourec faces a number of obstacles, but it uses its vast knowledge of metal materials and rigorous research and development testing to counteract them. Because of this, they can produce specialized materials and connections that are specifically designed to withstand exposure to hydrogen and other elements.

Vallourec is at the forefront of providing tube solutions for hydrogen projects in Europe. Vallourec ensures that their products and knowledge meet the utmost standards of the industry. This has earned the trust of clients who have utilized Vallourec solutions for a variety of European projects.

Vallourec has joined hands with Storengy to execute the HyPSTER project, which is the first-ever hydrogen storage system supported by the EU. Vallourec provided its VM80S tubular solutions, along with VAM® 21 premium connections, for the production string that carries hydrogen between the cavern and the surface. The pipes were installed earlier this year, and the project will soon showcase world-class green hydrogen storage salt caverns located in Etrez, France.

EWE's HyCAVmobil project aims to carry out a hydrogen cavern test in Germany to assess hydrogen quality after storage and evaluate the technical and environmental aspects of integrating a hydrogen cavern in the future energy system. The construction of the test cavern has been completed and work on the surface facilities is ongoing. Soon the cavern will be filled with hydrogen and testing will begin. Firstly, EWE erected a drilling rig on top of the existing borehole and Vallourec supplied the casing. EWE then used water to flush out the salt dome underground to a depth of 1,000 meters.

Gasunie HyStock project: In the previous year, Vallourec accomplished the task of delivering and fixing VM80S pipes and VAM® 21 high-quality connectors for a test borehole in the northern part of the Netherlands. The duration of this nine-month project included the process of circulating hydrogen gas at varying pressures, to present the practical applications of Vallourec's steel grades and VAM® 21 connectors in real-life situations. The perfect performance of the materials and connections was confirmed through a solid field record. Currently, Vallourec's R&D teams are conducting further experiments to attain more information about the long-term outcomes regarding the pipes.

The Uniper H2 pilot cavern project is set to begin later this year, and Vallourec is playing a key role by supplying pipes that are perfect for welding, made from VM80W. These pipes come equipped with VAM® 21 premium connections, making them top-of-the-line. The project is happening in Krummhorn, Germany, located in the Ems estuary of the North Sea. The main goal is to test out how to construct and operate a hydrogen storage facility that uses only 100% green hydrogen. The larger aim is to come up with a commercial-scale storage solution for this type of hydrogen.

Vallourec® New Energies has presented a plan that outlines the roadmap for the growth and establishment of hydrogen as a source of energy. The plan serves as a guide to the journey towards hydrogen becoming a significant contributor to the energy sector. Vallourec® New Energies' roadmap highlights the steps that need to be taken to ensure that hydrogen can be efficiently produced, distributed, and used as a source of energy. The plan includes a focus on research and development to improve technologies, policies and regulations to support the hydrogen economy as well as the establishment of a sustainable supply chain. With the development of this roadmap, Vallourec® New Energies hopes to encourage more countries and businesses to invest in hydrogen as a source of clean energy. This will lead to the reduction of carbon emissions, which is critical in the fight against climate change and the attainment of net-zero emissions.

Vallourec is dedicated to backing the advancement of subterranean storage projects. This includes the conversion of salt caverns, generating fresh caverns in which Vallourec is already providing tubing for the extraction and removal procedures as new salt caverns are constructed, and the establishment of new storage areas in porous substances like aquifers and exhausted fields.

We are fully prepared for the many upcoming hydrogen storage projects that will take place in Europe, as well as in other parts of the world. Through the use of our tried-and-true products, we are honored to lead the way in this important energy shift towards decarbonization. We are also applying our knowledge to the creation of our vertical storage solution, which utilizes comparable technology to offer safe and efficient options for hydrogen production and usage onsite.

Vincent Designolle is the Hydrogen Director at Vallourec® New Energies.

The Group recently revealed Vallourec® New Energies to demonstrate its strong dedication towards renewable energy projects. This innovative roadmap aims to facilitate a collaborative approach towards developing cutting-edge solutions for hydrogen, carbon capture, and geothermal energy. Additionally, this strategy also simplifies the process for prospective renewable energy undertakings. Hydrogen storage has been prioritized as a critical component of Vallourec's plan for the future of the energy transition.

Vallourec is exceptionally committed to providing top-of-the-line hydrogen storage solutions, which has established the company's leadership in this industry, especially in Europe. Even as other regions, such as the United States and South America, start to catch up, Vallourec's specialists are primed to share their knowledge with customers, especially given the increasing need for distributed local storage and vertical solutions in this ever-changing field.

As hydrogen takes its deserved position in the worldwide energy scene, Vallourec maintains its dedication to leading the way in creating eco-friendlier and more long-term alternatives that aid in the shared objective of a more environmentally sustainable tomorrow.

In the business world, there are several major countries that are often referred to by acronyms. These countries include APAC, Brazil, China, Corporate, France, Germany, UAE, United Kingdom, and USA. APAC refers to the Asia-Pacific region, which includes countries like Australia, Japan, and Singapore. Brazil is the largest country in South America and has a growing economy. China is the most populous country in the world and is a major player in global trade. Corporate isn't a country, but refers to the headquarters of multinational corporations, which are often located in the United States or Europe. France is known for its fashion and cuisine, while Germany is famous for its engineering and manufacturing prowess. The UAE is a federation of seven emirates in the Middle East and has a booming tourism industry. The United Kingdom is home to London, one of the world's leading financial centers. And the USA, of course, has the world's largest economy and is a major global leader in technology and innovation.

Rewritten: The following section of the blog presents a list of years: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

Subject: Different facets of the energy sector discussed This section of the blog provides information on different aspects of the energy industry. The topics we cover in this section include activity and market reports, career opportunities, commitments to sustainability, corporate events, hydrogen, innovative research and development, offshore drilling equipment, and welding. We discuss the latest activity and market reports in the energy sector, giving readers insight into the current state and future prospects of the industry. We also offer information on job opportunities in the field, encouraging individuals to consider a career in the energy sector. Our commitment to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of our operations is a central focus of our work. We provide updates on our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable business practices. We also feature coverage of corporate events related to the energy industry, including webcasts and press releases announcing new partnerships or initiatives. Hydrogen is a rapidly growing area of interest in the energy sector, and we cover the latest developments in this field, along with other innovative research and development projects. For those involved in offshore drilling, we provide information on line pipe and OCTG (oil country tubular goods), as well as other offshore drilling equipment. Finally, we offer coverage of welding techniques and technologies, along with other services and products related to the energy industry. We hope that this section provides valuable insights into the various facets of the energy sector and contributes to a greater understanding of this critical area of business.

Vallourec's latest approach in the energy sector has appeared promising for hydrogen storage initiatives throughout Europe.

Assisting Wintershall Dea on their ambitious Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects in Norway.

Vallourec has initiated the transportation of new energy resources to Eavor™'s Geretsried geothermal undertaking.

Vallourec has been awarded two significant contracts for offshore line pipes in the Buzios oil field of Brazil.

VAM® Field Service offers exceptional skill and originality that greatly benefits oil well constructors. With this added value, operators can expect top-notch service during the well construction process.

The financial report for the period of April-June 2023 has been released. The data depicts the business performance over the second quarter of the year.

We could not find any results matching your search. Kindly choose alternative filters.

On September 6, 2023, Vallourec SA shared this information, which is their sole responsibility for the accuracy of the content. It has not been changed or edited and was distributed to the public on September 7, 2023 at 08:44:11 UTC.