HyDRA - diagnostic tools and risk protocols to accelerate underground hydrogen storage

Officially launched on 1 January 2025, HyDRA gathers together eight leading research institutions and one enterprise across six countries: BGR, ESI, IDAEA-CSIC, ISO, KIT, TUC, UEDIN, UiB and UNINA. These institutions are collaboratively addressing the pressing need for large-scale hydrogen storage solutions to support Europe's transition to a low-carbon energy future. By characterizing hydrogen-consuming microbial activity and its interaction with storage formations, we aim to develop guiding principles that mitigate risks and enable the fast-tracking of porous media underground storage as part of the European hydrogen ecosystem. Key Objectives of HyDRA: - Innovative Research: Investigate hydrogen-consuming microbial activity and its interaction with storage formations to establish risk mitigation strategies. - Methodology Development: Enhance understanding of bio-geochemical processes affecting hydrogen storage in porous media. - Standardization and Regulation: Provide science-based recommendations to support the development of ISO standards and regulatory codes for underground hydrogen storage. Disclaimer: The project is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and its members. Co-funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101192337 — HyDRA. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.