In Delta, a one-stoplight town situated in the scrublands of central Utah, an enormous underground battery is taking shape. Two caverns, each as deep as the Empire State Building is tall, are being carved out of a geological salt formation, utilizing water to dissolve and remove the salt. Once finished next year, these caverns will store a substantial amount of energy, but in a form quite distinct from the chemical batteries commonly found in flashlights and cars.
Here, energy will be stored in the form of hydrogen gas.
As the world intensifies efforts to combat climate change by reducing reliance on coal, oil, and other fossil fuels, hydrogen is gaining attention as a promising alternative. Hydrogen, when burned, produces no emissions that contribute to global warming, making it a potential substitute fuel in various sectors, including transportation, electricity generation, and the production of cement and steel.
However, in Delta, developers are exploring hydrogen’s potential in a unique way. Projects led by companies like Chevron, which acquired a majority stake in one of the initiatives in September, aim to produce hydrogen using excess solar and wind power during periods of low electricity demand in spring and fall. The produced hydrogen is then stored in the caverns. In the subsequent high-demand summer months, a power plant, utilizing a blend of hydrogen and natural gas, would burn the stored hydrogen.
This innovative approach seeks to replace an aging coal-burning facility, known for being one of the dirtiest fossil fuels. While it represents a shift away from traditional energy sources, questions linger about the overall cost, efficiency, and environmental impact of the entire process—producing hydrogen with electricity, storing it, and converting it back into electricity.
In the broader context, the Biden administration in the United States has shown keen interest in hydrogen, providing significant funding to encourage its use in various industries. The Delta projects, despite potential challenges, aim to showcase hydrogen as a form of large-scale energy storage, potentially surpassing the capacity of chemical storage batteries in the United States.
As the hydrogen project unfolds, it raises hopes for cleaner energy alternatives but also prompts considerations about the social and economic impacts on communities like Delta. The transition from a reliable coal plant, a major employer for nearly four decades, to a future centered on the promise of hydrogen brings uncertainties for the local population.
Whether the Delta projects can successfully integrate hydrogen into the energy landscape remains to be seen. The caverns, carved through a process called solution mining, present a unique storage solution for hydrogen, but concerns about gas leaks during storage and transport must be addressed. The overall success of the projects will depend on careful management, responsible deployment, and the continued development of technologies to harness hydrogen efficiently.
The Delta initiatives exemplify the challenges and opportunities associated with hydrogen as a cleaner energy source, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of sustainable power generation.