Hydrogen Storage

The Problem

The intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar require reliable long-term storage solutions to ensure a stable electricity supply.

Work Needed

Research is needed to investigate the potential for sub-surface hydrogen storage and assess the viability of this solution for meeting these long-term storage demands.

Our Work

We are exploring hydrogen storage in salt caverns and aquifers, using experiments and modelling to understand the challenges and feasibility of large-scale hydrogen storage systems.

Background

As renewable energy sources become increasingly central to our energy mix, addressing the challenges created by their inherent intermittency is critical. Extended periods of low wind or limited solar production necessitate robust solutions for long-term energy storage to ensure a reliable electricity supply. Estimates in the UK suggest that meeting this challenge requires storage equivalent to 1–2 months of the nation’s total electricity demand. The alternative is continued reliance on backup gas-fired power stations equipped with carbon capture and storage. This backup approach offers a complementary pathway whilst long-term storage solutions are assessed and the infrastructure, and associated market systems and regulatory frameworks are developed.

Our Work

At the Institute, we are investigating the potential for storing hydrogen in the subsurface as a viable solution for long-term energy storage. This includes studying the use of salt caverns and large-scale aquifers as storage options. Our research focuses on the processes that control the flow of hydrogen within these systems. Through a combination of new experiments and associated modelling, we have identified some of the fundamental constraints and challenges associated with injecting and extracting hydrogen (e.g., Whelan and Woods, 2024). These insights are critical to assessing the viability of such large-scale storage solutions and informing future infrastructure development.