Microbiological study in borehole A8

The A8 hydrogen storage demonstration project launched at the Zuidwending site in 2021 aims to demonstrate that hydrogen storage in salt caverns is safe. Many activities have already been carried out to establish the suitability of the materials and methods used in hydrogen storage.

The most recent research focuses on microbiological reactions in a salt/hydrogen environment. For this purpose, a special probe was designed and suspended in the borehole. These so-called bio samplers were removed from the borehole after more than 6 months so that they could be examined.

The photos show the bio samplers being hoisted out of the borehole and carefully packed so that they can be examined for possible microbiological activity.

This particular study involved collaboration with several parties, including NAM and Wageningen University & Research.