Mitsubishi Power Americas and Texas Brine Company have signed an agreement to develop large-scale long-duration hydrogen storage solutions to support decarbonization efforts across the eastern United States.
Long-duration hydrogen storage is a key enabling technology for the transition to a net zero carbon energy future.
This collaboration expands Mitsubishi Power’s capability to store hydrogen safely and cost effectively in salt caverns in strategic locations across North America. The nation’s largest brine producer, Texas Brine and its affiliates have salt positions in New York, Virginia, Texas and Louisiana that will enable access to major load centers in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and the Gulf Coast.
Salt deposits are unique geological features into which caverns can be solution mined to provide safe, reliable, and economical bulk gas storage. Hydrogen has been stored in salt caverns for decades in the US Gulf Coast. Expanding the use of salt caverns for hydrogen energy storage in other regions offers a significant opportunity to create an infrastructure for clean energy resources throughout the US to benefit industries such as power, transportation and manufacturing that are targeting net zero carbon emissions.
The Texas Brine collaboration complements Mitsubishi Power’s growing portfolio of hydrogen-ready gas turbines by positioning large-scale hydrogen storage near projects, enabling access to economical utility-scale renewable energy storage.
The alliance will initially focus on existing sites controlled by Texas Brine and its affiliates. Both companies will evaluate the opportunity for hydrogen storage in existing and new caverns, along with detailed engineering and design studies to support hydrogen storage needs. The companies will also explore greenfield applications that can benefit from hydrogen storage as well as brine and dry salt production.
Paul Browning, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Power Americas, said: “To bring about an energy transition for a net zero carbon future, we have to work with partners. It takes innovative partnerships and cross-sector teams to decarbonize multiple verticals. Our alliance with Texas Brine supports our mission to provide power generation and energy storage solutions to our customers, empowering them to affordably and reliably combat climate change and advance human prosperity.” For more information visit: www.power.mhi.com
