The goal of this project is to create a Gas Storage Technology Consortium (GSTC) that will provide a means to accomplish industry-driven research and development designed to enhance operational flexibility and deliverability of the nation’s gas storage system. The GSTC will help to maintain a cost-effective, safe, and reliable supply of natural gas to meet domestic demand.
The Pennsylvania State University – consortium director and management
Performers of research projects awarded under RFP #1:
Performers of research projects awarded under RFP #2:
Performers of research projects awarded under RFP #3:
Performers of research projects awarded under RFP #4:
Performers of research projects awarded under RFP #5:
Performers of research projects awarded under RFP #6:
Performers of research projects awarded under RFP #7:
Performers of research projects awarded under RFP #8:
Location:
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-5000
Locations of subcontracted performers:
Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas.
Gas storage is critical to the natural gas industry. Producers, transmission and distribution companies, marketers, and end-users all benefit directly from the load balancing function of storage. The unbundling of gas transmission services (as part of regulatory changes) started a process that has fundamentally changed the way gas storage is used and valued. Moreover, the traditional marketplace has differentiated between various types of storage services and has increasingly rewarded flexibility, safety, and reliability.
The total size of the natural gas market has increased and is projected to continue to do so, reaching 30 Tcf/year over the next 10 to 15 years. Much of this increase in demand is projected to come from electric power generation, particularly for peaking units. Gas storage in general, and in particular the flexible services most suited to electric loads, is critical to meet the needs of these new markets. The DOE, in collaboration with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI), has funded a number of projects to help storage operators maintain existing capacity and respond to the market’s demand for flexible, safe, and reliable services. The GSTC continues to support these efforts, and through roadmap sessions and other industry input will further define GSTC funded research. The consortium currently supports research on storage issues in the following focus areas: Mechanical, Wellbore and Reservoir, and Operations and Salt Caverns. A limited amount of research is being considered in the area of Man-Made and Distributive Storage.
The consortium focuses on research needs and priorities as defined by the storage industry. The consortium approach maximizes interaction between the individual operators and provides an effective method for technology transfer for data/information generated under the consortium research projects.
The DOE contract expired on September 30, 2010. The final report is available below under "Additional Information".
$2,797,820
$1,199,066
NETL - John Terneus (John.Terneus@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4254)
The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) – Joel Morrison (gstc@ems.psu.edu or 814-865-4802)
Final Project Report [PDF-56.0 MB]
Final Reports 2004-2006 [PDF-43MB] - March, 2008
Natural Gas Storage Technology Consortium (NGSTC) web site
Consortium to Research U.S. Storage System [PDF] - Gas Tips - Summer 2004 (Vol. 10, No. 3)
Underground Gas Storage Technology Consortium R&D Priority Research Needs [PDF-226KB] -
Roadmap for the storage consortium
“What’s In Store?” – American Gas (AGA) – March 2005 (Vol. 87, No. 2)