Affordable, Safe and Sustainable aboveground medium to large GH2 storage

Expected Outcome:Clean hydrogen plays a pivotal role in decarbonising Europe’s energy system by enabling fossil-free energy supply in hard-to-abate sectors. In this context, safe, affordable, and scalable hydrogen storage systems are critical for ensuring energy system flexibility, grid resilience, and continuous integration of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources. Aboveground hydrogen storage solutions, such as compressed gas, are essential for decentralised hydrogen hubs requiring large feedstocks such as refuelling stations, industrial clusters, and Hydrogen Valleys. They offer a medium to long-term storage and servicing solution, high-frequency storage capabilities (in 5 to 20t H2) near production and demand centres, particularly where underground options are not viable.Project results are expected to contribute to all the following outcomes:Improved materials knowledge through validated data on the mechanical and chemical degradation behaviour of advanced low-cost materials (e.g., hydrogen-compatible steels, nanoparticle-reinforced aluminium alloys, metal matrix composite liners, and multi-layer coatings) for compressed gas storage.Development and application of mechanistic-based design and assessment methodologies that capture actual degradation mechanisms under hydrogen service (short, medium and long term i.e., 20-30 years), supporting more reliable and cost-effective storage solutions configuration and design.Integration of circular economy principles into compressed gas hydrogen storage through the use of recyclable and low-carbon materials, modular storage solution designs enabling complete reuse of liners and structural components, and energy-efficient manufacturing processes.Deliver compressed gas hydrogen storage systems that are affordable, safe, modular, deployable, easily serviceable and long term operable in decentralised hydrogen hubs to support H2 refuelling stations, large H2 feedstocks and industrial clusters.Demonstrate measurable improveme