An actor-based value analysis of the decision-making process of underground hydrogen storage in salt cavern in the Netherlands

Abstract

Successful development of the hydrogen economy would mean an effective cure for the world’s energy crisis (Abe, Popoola & Ajenifuja, 2019). Mazzolai (2012) found that one of the most considerable barriers to its deployment is the development of large stationary hydrogen storage systems. Researchers suggest underground storage in depleted gas fields and geological formations to overcome this barrier of stationary storage. As found by Abe et al. (2019), the most promising form of which is salt caverns. The Hyway 27 study, a report that explores the feasibility of a Dutch national hydrogen grid, proposes the installment of 6 PJ of storage capacity in salt caverns (Tezel et al., 2021; Juez-Larré et al., 2019). This research explores the socio-technical possibility of such a system within the Netherlands. When local perception of values is not considered during decision-making, local resistance potentially grows and halts the project and even the entire sector (Dignum et al., 2015; Geukes et al., 2021). Therefore, an aligned perception of values is essential for actors' acceptance of the decision-making process. Consequently, the research goal is to identify relevant value dimensions of actors to facilitate a more inclusive decision-making process for the realization of underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns (UHS-s). This research utilizes a qualitative design approach by combining literature research with interviews and data coding. Through literature, the research is positioned within the technical and institutional setting. The Value Analysis Framework is operationalized to capture arguments from interviews via a coding software scheme...