1887

Abstract

Summary

Hydrogen is rapidly gaining momentum as a cornerstone of the global transition to cleaner energy systems, providing a versatile and low-carbon fuel alternative across a range of industries, including power generation and transportation. However, large-scale hydrogen storage poses significant challenges, as effective storage solutions are critical for balancing supply and demand, especially for renewable energy sources. Underground salt caverns present a promising option for hydrogen storage due to their unique mechanical properties, such as high impermeability and self-sealing behaviour under stress. These characteristics make salt caverns particularly suited for long-term, safe, and high-pressure hydrogen storage.

To ensure the reliable performance of hydrogen storage systems, it is essential to thoroughly understand the behaviour of salt caverns under operational conditions. This study adopts a comprehensive geo-mechanical modelling approach to assess the performance of salt caverns repurposed for hydrogen storage. By employing finite difference modelling, we simulate the stress, deformation, and displacement responses of the cavern structure. The geological model is developed based on real-world data from the Zechstein Group in East Yorkshire, United Kingdom, a region with favourable geological conditions for underground storage. The study incorporates detailed sensitivity analyses to evaluate the influence of varying operational parameters, such as injection pressures and cycle frequencies, on the stability of the caverns. These analyses provide a clear understanding of how operational stresses affect the long-term behaviour of the storage system, including potential risks related to creep, subsidence, and deformation.

The results offer crucial insights into the optimization of design and operational parameters for hydrogen storage caverns. This work contributes to the development of safe, efficient, and scalable hydrogen storage infrastructure, which is a critical enabler for the widespread adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy vector.

© EAGE Publications BV
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531046
2025-04-02
2026-02-06

  • From This Site

    /content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531046
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Atkins. (2018). Hydrogen Turbines Follow On - Salt Cavern Appraisal for Hydrogen and Gas Storage -Appendices. https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000133
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Cooper, A. H. (2002). Halite karst geohazards (natural and man-made) in the United Kingdom. Environmental Geology, 42, 505–512.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Cyran, K., & Kowalski, M. (2021). Shape modelling and volume optimisation of salt caverns for energy storage. Applied Sciences, 11(1), 423.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Evans, D. J. (2009). A review of underground fuel storage events and putting risk into perspective with other areas of the energy supply chain. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 313(1), 173–216.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Fang, Y., Hou, Z., Yue, Y., Chen, Q., & Liu, J. (2022). Numerical study of hydrogen storage cavern in thin-bedded rock salt, Anning of China. The Mechanical Behavior of Salt X (pp. 652–661). CRC Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Gordeliy, E., & Berest, P. (2024). Characteristic features of salt-cavern behavior. InternationalJournal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 173, 105607.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Habibi, R., Moomivand, H., Ahmadi, M., & Asgari, A. (2021). Stability analysis of complex behavior of salt cavern subjected to cyclic loading by laboratory measurement and numerical modeling using LOCAS (case study: Nasrabad gas storage salt cavern). Environmental Earth Sciences, 80, 1–21.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Harati, S., Rezaei Gomari, S., Gasanzade, F., Bauer, S., Pak, T., & Orr, C. (2023a). Underground hydrogen storage to balance seasonal variations in energy demand: Impact of well configuration on storage performance in deep saline aquifers. InternationalJournal of Hydrogen Energy, 48(69), 26894–26910. 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.03.363
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.03.363 [Google Scholar]
  9. Harati, S., Rezaei Gomari, S., Rahman, M. A., Hassan, R., Hassan, I., Sleiti, A. K., & Hamilton, M. (2024). Performance analysis of various machine learning algorithms for CO2 leak prediction and characterization in geo-sequestration injection wells. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 183, 99–110. 10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.007
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.01.007 [Google Scholar]
  10. Harati, S., Rezaei Gomari, S., Ramegowda, M., & Pak, T. (2023b). Multi-criteria site selection workflow for geological storage of hydrogen in depleted gas fields: A case for the UK. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.10.345
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.10.345 [Google Scholar]
  11. Herrmann, W., Wawersik, W. R., & Lauson, H. S. (1980). Analysis of steady state creep of southeastern New Mexico bedded salt. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Scientific and Technical Information,
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Itasca, F. (2000). Fast Lagrangian analysis of continua. Itasca Consulting Group Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Khan, T. H., Myers, M. T., Hathon, L., & Unomah, G. C. (2023). Time-Scaling Creep in Salt Rocks for Underground Storage. Petrophysics - the SPWLA Journal, 64(06), 954–969. 10.30632/PJV64N6‑2023a10
     https://doi.org/10.30632/PJV64N6-2023a10 [Google Scholar]
  14. Minougou, J. D., Gholami, R., & Andersen, P. (2023). Underground hydrogen storage in caverns: Challenges of impure salt structures. Earth-Science Reviews, 104599.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Parkes, D., Evans, D. J., Williamson, P., & Williams, J. (2018). Estimating available salt volume for potential CAES development: A case study using the Northwich Halite of the Cheshire Basin. Journal of Energy Storage, 18, 50–61.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Wang, T., Yang, C., Ma, H., Li, Y., Shi, X., Li, J., & Daemen, J. J. K. (2016). Safety evaluation of salt cavern gas storage close to an old cavern. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 83, 95–106. 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2016.01.005
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Williams, J. D. O., Williamson, J. P., Parkes, D., Evans, D. J., Kirk, K. L., Sunny, N., Hough, E., Vosper, H., & Akhurst, M. C. (2022). Does the United Kingdom have sufficient geological storage capacity to support a hydrogen economy? Estimating the salt cavern storage potential of bedded halite formations. Journal of Energy Storage, 53, 105109. 10.1016/j.est.2022.105109
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.105109 [Google Scholar]
  18. Yang, C., Wang, T., Qu, D., Ma, H., Li, Y., Shi, X., & Daemen, J. J. K. (2016). Feasibility analysis of using horizontal caverns for underground gas storage: A case study of Yunying salt district. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 36, 252–266. 10.1016/j.jngse.2016.10.009
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2016.10.009 [Google Scholar]
  19. Zhang, G., Liu, Y., Wang, T., Zhang, H., & Wang, Z. (2021). Ground subsidence prediction model and parameter analysis for underground gas storage in horizontal salt caverns. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2021(1), 9504289.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Zhang, G., Wu, Y., Wang, L., Zhang, K., Daemen, J. J., & Liu, W. (2015). Time-dependent subsidence prediction model and influence factor analysis for underground gas storages in bedded salt formations. Engineering Geology, 187, 156–169.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Zhao, K., Liu, Y., Li, Y., Ma, H., Hou, W., Yu, C, Liu, H., Feng, C, & Yang, C. (2022). Feasibility analysis of salt cavern gas storage in extremely deep formation: A case study in China. Journal of Energy Storage, 47, 103649. 10.1016/j.est.2021.103649
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2021.103649 [Google Scholar]
  22. Zhou, J., Fang, S., Peng, J., Li, Q., & Liang, G. (2023). Investigation on the Long Term Operational Stability of Underground Energy Storage in Salt Rock. Energy Engineering, 120(1), 221–243.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Zhu, C, Pouya, A., & Arson, C. (2015). Micro-Macro Analysis and Phenomenological Modelling of Salt Viscous Damage and Application to Salt Caverns. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 48(6), 2567–2580. 10.1007/s00603‑015‑0832‑9
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0832-9 [Google Scholar]
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531046
Loading
Towards Long-Term Operational and Geo-Mechanical Stability of Underground Hydrogen Storage in Salt Caverns
Conference Proceedings 2025, 1 (2025); https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202531046
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531046
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531046
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error