{"id":2924,"date":"2026-02-24T11:25:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T10:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hybritdevelopment.se\/?p=2924"},"modified":"2026-02-27T09:57:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T08:57:12","slug":"vattenfall-decision-on-extended-operation-of-hybrits-pilot-facility-for-fossil-free-hydrogen-storage-in-lulea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hybritdevelopment.se\/en\/vattenfall-decision-on-extended-operation-of-hybrits-pilot-facility-for-fossil-free-hydrogen-storage-in-lulea\/","title":{"rendered":"Decision on extended operation of HYBRIT\u2019s pilot facility for fossil-free hydrogen storage in Lule\u00e5"},"content":{"rendered":"

HYBRIT has been granted an extension of its temporary building permit, allowing the operation of the pilot facility for fossil\u2011free hydrogen storage in Svart\u00f6berget in Lule\u00e5 until 2031.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The HYBRIT initiative was launched in 2016 by owners SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall with the aim of developing the world\u2019s first fossil-free, ore-based iron- and steelmaking. As part of this work, a pilot facility for fossil\u2011free hydrogen was commissioned in 2022, adjacent to HYBRIT\u2019s pilot plant for direct reduction of iron ore pellets in Lule\u00e5. HYBRIT has applied for and been granted an extension of the temporary building permit for the pilot facility until 2031, which enables the continued pilot operation of the hydrogen storage in Svart\u00f6berget.<\/p>\n

Fossil\u2011free hydrogen, which replaces coal and coke, is a crucial component of the production technology for fossil\u2011free iron and steel, where carbon dioxide emissions are essentially eliminated. Hydrogen storage is considered to have significant potential for reducing the production cost of hydrogen and for future power and energy balancing in large\u2011scale hydrogen production.<\/p>\n

\u2018It is positive that the facility will continue to be available for testing in the future. It is a unique facility, and being able to carry out additional tests when needed is of great value as the technology is scaled up. The project\u2019s tests have shown that hydrogen storage functions effectively within the HYBRIT value chain, supporting large-scale hydrogen users. A hydrogen storage shows likely savings of around 25-40% of the variable operating cost for hydrogen production,\u2019 says Marie Anheden, Project Manager at Vattenfall.<\/p>\n

The extended permit makes it possible to continue exploring the potential of hydrogen storage as support within the Swedish energy system through ongoing tests. Hydrogen storage is an important piece of the puzzle to electrify industrial processes while increasing the amount of weather-dependent power. The facility\u2019s safety, function, and performance have been successfully demonstrated since 2022. Overall, the project proves that the technology is ready for industrialisation.<\/p>\n

\u2018HYBRIT\u2019s tests in the pilot facility in Lule\u00e5 proves that the technology is ready for industrialisation and can help reduce production costs for hydrogen. We want to continue building knowledge and experience to further development of large-scale commercial storage facilities\u2014next by continue developing integration with both the direct reduction process and the energy system through additional tests,\u2019 says Gunilla Hyllander, CEO of Hybrit Development.<\/p>\n

Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n