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The impact of hydrogen underground storage on export dynamics and system resilience: A GIS-based integration of salt caverns into PyPSA-Earth

Author

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  • Achhammer, Anton
  • Fioriti, Davide
  • Patonia, Aliaksei
  • Sterner, Michael

Abstract

Growing European hydrogen demand and projects like the SoutH2 Corridor highlight the need for large-scale storage to ensure supply security and competitive pricing. Without storage, producers face increased market dependency, as electrolyzers require continuous operation to remain economically viable. At the same time, storage offers opportunities to strengthen domestic value chains by securing hydrogen supply for local industries. To assess the system-level impact of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) and its implications for hydrogen partnerships, we integrate GIS-based salt cavern potentials into PyPSA-Earth and apply the framework to Tunisia. Salt caverns are currently largely considered the most economical option for large-scale hydrogen storage, offering operational flexibility. Underground storage is represented as an endogenously optimised, regionally constrained option, enabling a direct comparison between scenarios with and without geological storage under identical demand, technology, and policy assumptions.

Suggested Citation

  • Achhammer, Anton & Fioriti, Davide & Patonia, Aliaksei & Sterner, Michael, 2026. "The impact of hydrogen underground storage on export dynamics and system resilience: A GIS-based integration of salt caverns into PyPSA-Earth," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:360:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226018360
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.141729
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