Underground Hydrogen Storage: Insights for Future Development

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is a relatively new technology that demonstrates notable potential for the efficient storage of large quantities of green hydrogen. Its large-scale implementation requires a comprehensive understanding of numerous factors, including safe and effective storage methods, as well as overcoming various thresholds and challenges. This article presents strategies for accelerating the implementation of this technology, identifying the thresholds and challenges affecting the development and future scale-up of UHS. It characterises challenges and constraints related to geology (including the type and geological characterisation of structures, hydrogen storage capacity, and hydrogen interactions with underground environments), the technological aspects of hydrogen storage (such as infrastructure, management, and monitoring), and economic and legal considerations. The need for the rapid implementation of demonstration projects has been emphasised. The identified thresholds and challenges, along with the resulting recommendations, are crucial for paving the way for the large-scale implementation of UHS. Addressing these issues will significantly influence the implementation of this technology post-2030.