From UGS to UHS—the era of net-zero carbon emissions

Abstract

With the growing issue of carbon dioxide emissions alongside energy consumption, hydrogen has garnered significant attention due to its net-zero emissions characteristics. From the industrial production of hydrogen to the exploration and development of hydrogen storage, as well as transportation and underground hydrogen storage (UHS), new integrated technologies and techniques have gradually emerged. However, unresolved technical challenges persist. Analysis of pilot test projects for UHS and hydrogen hybrid storage reveals that some experiences from salt cavern gas storage can be directly applied to hydrogen storage. However, potential technical difficulties and failure risks remain key constraints on the construction of salt cavern hydrogen storage facilities. Currently identified technical challenges include, but are not limited to, hydrogen spillage, microbial consumption, chemical reactions, and other mechanisms leading to underground hydrogen loss as well as integrity issues with wellbore materials (such as metals, cement, and elastomers). This paper summarizes the current technical status of hydrogen storage and emphasizes the need to enhance research and development of experimental equipment and numerical simulation software for underground hydrogen storage. Additionally, it highlights the importance of advancing exploration into porous formation hydrogen storage. This paper provides a theoretical foundation for the development of UHS.

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Identifiers

DOI

10.1063/5.0250765

Journal

Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Year

2025