Gas storage to grow more critical in energy transition – IGU

The International Gas Union calls for a ‘whole-system’ approach, combining planning of gas, electricity and hydrogen networks to ensure energy systems remain flexible and resilient during the transition

Underground gas storage (UGS) will become increasingly indispensable as the energy transition advances, the International Gas Union (IGU) said in a new report. Writing in Underground Gas Storage – A Critical Pillar for Energy Security, the organisation said that rising electrification, a growing share of renewables, and the emergence of hydrogen and other low-carbon gases would heighten the need for gas storage to keep energy systems stable and resilient. UGS is critical for energy security and not just a market flexibility tool, the IGU said. It argued that storage plays an essential role in shielding economies from supply disruptions, price volatility and the intermittency of renewable pow