Structuring hydrogen storage networks: Matching geological capacity with future demand in the Northern Netherlands

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) plays a pivotal role in enabling the large-scale integration of green hydrogen and advancing the transition toward zero-emission energy systems. Among the various UHS technologies, salt caverns emerge as a particularly attractive option due to their technical reliability, operational safety, and relatively low cost. As hydrogen demand grows across sectors such as industry, heating, and transportation, a robust storage infrastructure is essential to address the spatial and temporal mismatches between production and consumption. This study explores the optimal design of a hydrogen storage network in the Northern Netherlands (NN) by linking potential UHS sites with projected hydrogen demand for the year 2050. A facility location problem (FLP) model is developed and applied to three demand scenarios (low, medium, and high) to determine cost-optimal configurations that minimize transport and storage costs. The model results indicate that under a low-demand scenario, only one storage site is utilized, whereas up to nine out of ten candidate sites are selected under high-demand conditions. However, the available salt cavern capacity proves inadequate in medium and high-demand scenarios, underscoring the need for complementary storage solutions such as depleted gas fields or above-ground tanks. These findings highlight the importance of scenario-based planning and accurate demand forecasting in guiding hydrogen infrastructure investments. Additionally, qualitative insights from five expert interviews inform key model assumptions and scenario development. Aligning UHS strategically with spatially distributed demand centers enhances system flexibility and cost-effectiveness, offering valuable guidance for regional hydrogen network planning.