Transmission, Distribution & Storage
Inspection of Coated Hydrogen Transportation Pipelines
Sep 2023
Publication
The growing need for hydrogen indicates that there is likely to be a demand for transporting hydrogen. Hydrogen pipelines are an economical option but the issue of hydrogen damage to pipeline steels needs to be studied and investigated. So far limited research has been dedicated to determining how the choice of inspection method for pipeline integrity management changes depending on the presence of a coating. Thus this review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of inspection methods specifically for detecting the defects formed uniquely in coated hydrogen pipelines. The discussion will begin with a background of hydrogen pipelines and the common defects seen in these pipelines. This will also include topics such as blended hydrogen-natural gas pipelines. After which the focus will shift to pipeline integrity management methods and the effectiveness of current inspection methods in the context of standards such as ASME B31.12 and BS 7910. The discussion will conclude with a summary of newly available inspection methods and future research directions.
Optimization Operation Strategy for Comprehensive Energy System Considering Multi-Mode Hydrogen Transportation
Dec 2024
Publication
The transformation from a fossil fuel economy to a low-carbon economy has reshaped the way energy is transmitted. As most renewable energy is obtained in the form of electricity using green electricity to produce hydrogen is considered a promising energy carrier. However most studies have not considered the transportation mode of hydrogen. In order to encourage the utilization of renewable energy and hydrogen this paper proposes a comprehensive energy system optimization operation strategy considering multi-mode hydrogen transport. Firstly to address the shortcomings in the optimization operation of existing systems regarding hydrogen transport modeling is conducted for multi-mode hydrogen transportation through hydrogen tube trailers and pipelines. This model reflects the impact of multi-mode hydrogen delivery channels on hydrogen utilization which helps promote the consumption of new energy in electrolysis cells to meet application demands. Based on this the constraints of electrolyzers combined heat and power units hydrogen fuel cells and energy storage systems in integrated energy systems (IESs) are further considered. With the objective of minimizing the daily operational cost of the comprehensive energy system an optimization model for the operation considering multi-mode hydrogen transport is constructed. Lastly based on simulation examples the impact of multi-mode hydrogen transportation on the operational cost of the system is analyzed in detail. The results indicate that the proposed optimization strategy can reduce the operational cost of the comprehensive energy system. Hydrogen tube trailers and pipelines will have a significant impact on operational costs. Properly allocating the quantity of hydrogen tube trailers and pipelines is beneficial for reducing the operational costs of the system. Reasonable arrangement of hydrogen transportation channels is conducive to further promoting the green and economic operation of the system.
Pressure Dependence of CO2 Effect on Hydrogen-assisted Fatigue Crack Growth in Two Pipeline Steels
Oct 2024
Publication
This study investigated the pressure-dependent CO2 effect on the hydrogen embrittlement of X80 and GB20# pipeline steels by combining experiments and first-principles calculations. Results revealed that the CO2 effect enhanced the fatigue crack growth for GB20# steel in 10 MPa CO₂-enriched hydrogen mixtures. However the improved degree by the CO₂ effect at 10 MPa was less pronounced than at 0.4 MPa which was found for the first time. This was attributed to the decreased adsorption rate of CO₂ on iron as hydrogen pressure increased. Therefore in high-pressure CO₂-enriched hydrogen mixtures CO2 could not significantly accelerate the inherent rapid hydrogen uptake at high pressure.
Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of Hydrogen Containing Streams
Jul 2020
Publication
he use of hydrogen (H2) as a substitute for fossil fuel which accounts for the majority of the world’s energy is environmentally the most benign option for the reduction of CO2 emissions. his will require gigawatt-scale storage systems and as such H2 storage in porous rocks in the subsurface will be required. ccurate estimation of the thermodynamic and transport properties of H2 mixed with other gases found within the storage system is therefore essential for the efcient design for the processes involved in this system chain. In this study we used the established and regarded GERG-2008 Equation of State (EoS) and SuperRPP model to predict the thermo-physical properties of H2 mixed with CH4 N2 CO2 and a typical natural gas from the North-Sea. he data covers a wide range of mole fraction of H2 (10–90 Mole%) pressures (0.01–100MPa) and temperatures (200–500K) with high accuracy and precision. Moreover to increase ease of access to the data a user-friendly software (H2Themobank) is developed and made publicly available.
A Comprehensive Literature Review on Hydrogen Tanks: Storage, Safety, and Structural Integrity
Oct 2024
Publication
In recent years there has been a significant increase in research on hydrogen due to the urgent need to move away from carbon-intensive energy sources. This transition highlights the critical role of hydrogen storage technology where hydrogen tanks are crucial for achieving cleaner energy solutions. This paper aims to provide a general overview of hydrogen treatment from a mechanical viewpoint and to create a comprehensive review that integrates the concepts of hydrogen safety and storage. This study explores the potential of hydrogen applications as a clean energy alternative and their role in various sectors including industry automotive aerospace and marine fields. The review also discusses design technologies safety measures material improvements social impacts and the regulatory landscape of hydrogen storage tanks and safety technology. This work provides a historical literature review up to 2014 and a systematic literature review from 2014 to the present to fill the gap between hydrogen storage and safety. In particular a fundamental feature of this work is leveraging systematic procedural techniques for performing an unbiased review study to offer a detailed analysis of contemporary advancements. This innovative approach differs significantly from conventional review methods since it involves a replicable scientific and transparent process which culminates in minimizing bias and allows for highlighting the fundamental issues about the topics of interest and the main conclusions of the experts in the field of reference. The systematic approach employed in the paper was used to analyze 55 scientific articles resulting in the identification of six primary categories. The key findings of this review work underline the need for improved materials enhanced safety protocols and robust infrastructure to support hydrogen adoption. More importantly one of the fundamental results of the present review analysis is pinpointing the central role that composite materials will play during the transition toward hydrogen applications based on thin-walled industrial vessels. Future research directions are also proposed in the paper thereby emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome existing challenges and facilitate the safe and efficient use of hydrogen.
Hydrogen Carriers: Scientific Limits and Challenges for the Supply Chain, and Key Factors for Techno-Economic Analysis
Aug 2023
Publication
Hydrogen carriers are one of the keys to the success of using hydrogen as an energy vector. Indeed sustainable hydrogen production exploits the excess of renewable energy sources after which temporary storage is required. The conventional approaches to hydrogen storage and transport are compressed hydrogen (CH2 ) and liquefied hydrogen (LH2 ) which require severe operating conditions related to pressure (300–700 bar) and temperature (T < −252 ◦C) respectively. To overcome these issues which have hindered market penetration several alternatives have been proposed in the last few decades. In this review the most promising hydrogen carriers (ammonia methanol liquid organic hydrogen carriers and metal hydrides) have been considered and the main stages of their supply chain (production storage transportation H2 release and their recyclability) have been described and critically analyzed focusing on the latest results available in the literature the highlighting of which is our current concern. The last section reviews recent techno-economic analyses to drive the selection of hydrogen carrier systems and the main constraints that must be considered. The analyzed results show how the selection of H2 carriers is a multiparametric function and it depends on technological factors as well as international policies and regulations.
Review of Common Hydrogen Storage Tanks and Current Manufacturing Methods for Aluminium Tank Liners
Aug 2023
Publication
With the growing concern about climate issues and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions hydrogen has attracted increasing attention as a clean and renewable vehicle energy source. However the storage of flammable hydrogen gas is a major challenge and it restricts the commercialisation of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). This paper provides a comprehensive review of common on-board hydrogen storage tanks possible failure mechanisms and typical manufacturing methods as well as their future development trends. There are generally five types of hydrogen tanks according to different materials used with only Type III (metallic liner wrapped with composite) and Type IV (polymeric liner wrapped with composite) tanks being used for vehicles. The metallic liner of Type III tank is generally made from aluminium alloys and the associated common manufacturing methods such as roll forming deep drawing and ironing and backward extrusion are reviewed and compared. In particular backward extrusion is a method that can produce near net-shape cylindrical liners without the requirement of welding and its tool designs and the microstructural evolution of aluminium alloys during the process are analysed. With the improvement and innovation on extrusion tool designs the extrusion force which is one of the most demanding issues in the process can be reduced significantly. As a result larger liners can be produced using currently available equipment at a lower cost.
Geomechanics of Hydrogen Storage in a Depleted Gas Field
Feb 2024
Publication
We perform a simulation study of hydrogen injection in a depleted gas reservoir to assess the geomechanical impact of hydrogen storage relative to other commonly injected gases (methane CO2). A key finding is that the differences in hydrogen density compressibility viscosity and thermal properties compared to the other gases result in significantly less thermal perturbation at reservoir level. The risks of fault reactivation and wellbore fractures due to thermally-induced stress changes are significantly lower when storing hydrogen compared to results observed in CO2 scenarios. This implies that hydrogen injection and production has a much smaller geomechanical footprint with benefits for operational safety. We also find that use of nitrogen cushion gas ensures efficient deliverability and phase separation in the reservoir. However in this study a large fraction of cushion gas was back-produced in each cycle demonstrating the need for further studies of the surface processing requirements and economic implications.
CFD Thermo‑Hydraulic Evaluation of a Liquid Hydrogen Storage Tank with Different Insulation Thickness in a Small‑Scale Hydrogen Liquefier
Aug 2023
Publication
Accurate evaluation of thermo‑fluid dynamic characteristics in tanks is critically important for designing liquid hydrogen tanks for small‑scale hydrogen liquefiers to minimize heat leakage into the liquid and ullage. Due to the high costs most future liquid hydrogen storage tank designs will have to rely on predictive computational models for minimizing pressurization and heat leakage. Therefore in this study to improve the storage efficiency of a small‑scale hydrogen liquefier a three‑ dimensional CFD model that can predict the boil‑off rate and the thermo‑fluid characteristics due to heat penetration has been developed. The prediction performance and accuracy of the CFD model was validated based on comparisons between its results and previous experimental data and a good agreement was obtained. To evaluate the insulation performance of polyurethane foam with three different insulation thicknesses the pressure changes and thermo‑fluid characteristics in a partially liquid hydrogen tank subject to fixed ambient temperature and wind velocity were investigated nu‑ merically. It was confirmed that the numerical simulation results well describe not only the temporal variations in the thermal gradient due to coupling between the buoyance and convection but also the buoyancy‑driven turbulent flow characteristics inside liquid hydrogen storage tanks with differ‑ ent insulation thicknesses. In the future the numerical model developed in this study will be used for optimizing the insulation systems of storage tanks for small‑scale hydrogen liquefiers which is a cost‑effective and highly efficient approach.
The Necessity and Feasibility of Hydrogen Storage for Large-Scale, Long-Term Energy Storage in the New Power System in China
Jun 2023
Publication
In the process of building a new power system with new energy sources as the mainstay wind power and photovoltaic energy enter the multiplication stage with randomness and uncertainty and the foundation and support role of large-scale long-time energy storage is highlighted. Considering the advantages of hydrogen energy storage in large-scale cross-seasonal and cross-regional aspects the necessity feasibility and economy of hydrogen energy participation in long-time energy storage under the new power system are discussed. Firstly power supply and demand production simulations were carried out based on the characteristics of new energy generation in China. When the penetration of new energy sources in the new power system reaches 45% long-term energy storage becomes an essential regulation tool. Secondly by comparing the storage duration storage scale and application scenarios of various energy storage technologies it was determined that hydrogen storage is the most preferable choice to participate in large-scale and long-term energy storage. Three long-time hydrogen storage methods are screened out from numerous hydrogen storage technologies including salt-cavern hydrogen storage natural gas blending and solid-state hydrogen storage. Finally by analyzing the development status and economy of the above three types of hydrogen storage technologies and based on the geographical characteristics and resource endowment of China it is pointed out that China will form a hydrogen storage system of “solid state hydrogen storage above ground and salt cavern storage underground” in the future.
Evaluation of the Technical Condition of Pipes during the Transportation of Hydrogen Mixtures According to the Energy Approach
Jun 2024
Publication
In this study a theoretical–experimental methodology for determining the stress–strain state in pipeline systems taking into account the hydrogen environment was developed. A complex of theoretical and experimental studies was conducted to determine the specific energy of destruction as an invariant characteristic of the material’s resistance to strain at different hydrogen concentrations. The technique is based on the construction of complete diagrams of the destruction of the material based on the determination of true strains and stresses in the local volume using the method involving the optical–digital correlation of speckle images. A complex of research was carried out and true diagrams of material destruction were constructed depending on the previous elastic–plastic strain and the action of the hydrogen environment. The change in the concentration of hydrogen absorbed by the material was estimated depending on the value of the specific energy of destruction. A study was conducted on tubular samples and the degree of damage to the material of the inner wall under the action of hydrogen and stress from the internal pressure was evaluated according to the change in specific energy depending on the value of the true strain established with the help of an optical–digital correlator on the outer surface and the degree of damage was determined. It has been established that the specific fracture energy of 17G1S steel decreases by 70–90% under the influence of hydrogen. The effect of the change in the amount of strain energy on the thickness of the pipe wall is illustrated.
Underground Hydrogen Storage: A UK Perspective
Oct 2023
Publication
Hydrogen is anticipated to play a key role in global decarbonization and within the UK’s pathway to achieving net zero targets. However as the production of hydrogen expands in line with government strategies a key concern is where this hydrogen will be stored for later use. This study assesses the different large-scale storage options in geological structures available to the UK and addresses the surrounding uncertainties moving towards establishing a hydrogen economy. Currently salt caverns look to be the most favourable option considering their proven experience in the storage of hydrogen especially high purity hydrogen natural sealing properties low cushion gas requirement and high charge and discharge rates. However their geographical availability within the UK can act as a major constraint. Additionally a substantial increase in the number of new caverns will be necessary to meet the UK’s storage demand. Salt caverns have greater applicability as a good short-term storage solution however storage in porous media such as depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and saline aquifers can be seen as a long-term and strategic solution to meet energy demand and achieve energy security. Porous media storage solutions are estimated to have capacities which far exceed projected storage demand. Depleted fields have generally been well explored prior to hydrocarbon extraction. Although many saline aquifers are available offshore UK geological characterizations are still required to identify the right candidates for hydrogen storage. Currently the advantages of depleted gas reservoirs over saline aquifers make them the favoured option after salt caverns.
An Overview on the Technologies Used to Storage Hydrogen
Aug 2023
Publication
Hydrogen energy has a significant potential in mitigating the intermittency of renewable energy generation by converting the excess of renewable energy into hydrogen through many technologies. Also hydrogen is expected to be used as an energy carrier that contribute to the global decarbonization in transportation industrial and building sectors. Many technologies have been developed to store hydrogen energy. Hydrogen can be stored to be used when needed and thus synchronize generation and consumption. The current paper presents a review on the different technologies used to store hydrogen. The storage capacity advantages drawbacks and development stages of various hydrogen storage technologies were presented and compared.
Thermal Design and Heat Transfer Optimisation of a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Batch Reactor for Hydrogen Storage
Aug 2023
Publication
Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) are considered a promising hydrogen storage technology. Heat must be exchanged with an external medium such as a heat transfer fluid for the required chemical reactions to occur. Batch reactors are simple but useful solutions for small-scale storage applications which can be modelled with a lumped parameter approach adequately reproducing their dynamic performance. For such reactors power is consumed to circulate the external heat transfer fluid and stir the organic liquid inside the reactor and heat transfer performance and power consumption are two key parameters in reactor optimisation. Therefore with reference to the hydrogen release phase this paper describes a procedure to optimise the reactor thermal design based on a lumped-parameter model in terms of heat transfer performance and minimum power consumption. Two batch reactors are analysed: a conventional jacketed reactor with agitation nozzles and a half-pipe coil reactor. Heat transfer performance is evaluated by introducing a newly defined dimensionless parameter the Heat Transfer Ratio (HTR) whose value directly correlates to the heat rate required by the carrier's dehydrogenation reaction. The resulting model is a valid tool for adequately reproducing the hydrogen storage behaviour within dynamic models of complex and detailed energy systems.
Integration of Underground Green Hydrogen Storage in Hybrid Energy Generation
May 2024
Publication
One of the major challenges in harnessing energy from renewable sources like wind and solar is their intermittent nature. Energy production from these sources can vary based on weather conditions and time of day making it essential to store surplus energy for later use when there is a shortfall. Energy storage systems play a crucial role in addressing this intermittency issue and ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply. Green hydrogen sourced from renewables emerges as a promising solution to meet the rising demand for sustainable energy addressing the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental crises. In the present study underground hydrogen storage in various geological formations (aquifers depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs salt caverns) is examined emphasizing the need for a detailed geological analysis and addressing potential hazards. The paper discusses challenges associated with underground hydrogen storage including the requirement for extensive studies to understand hydrogen interactions with microorganisms. It underscores the importance of the issue with a focus on reviewing the the various past and present hydrogen storage projects and sites as well as reviewing the modeling studies in this field. The paper also emphasizes the importance of incorporating hybrid energy systems into hydrogen storage to overcome limitations associated with standalone hydrogen storage systems. It further explores the past and future integrations of underground storage of green hydrogen within this dynamic energy landscape.
Storage Integrity During Underground Hydrogen Storage in Depleted Gas Reservoirs
Nov 2023
Publication
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources particularly hydrogen has emerged as a central strategy for decarbonization and the pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions. Meeting the demand for large-scale hydrogen storage a crucial component of the hydrogen supply chain has led to the exploration of underground hydrogen storage as an economically viable solution to global energy needs. In contrast to other subsurface storage options such as salt caverns and aquifers which are geographically limited depleted gas reservoirs have garnered increasing attention due to their broader distribution and higher storage capacity. However the safe storage and cycling of hydrogen in depleted gas reservoirs require the preservation of high stability and integrity in the caprock reservoir and wellbore. Nevertheless there exists a significant gap in the current research concerning storage integrity in underground hydrogen storage within depleted gas reservoirs and a systematic approach is lacking. This paper aims to address this gap by reviewing the primary challenges associated with storage integrity including geochemical reactions microbial activities faults and fractures and perspectives on hydrogen cycling. The study comprehensively reviews the processes and impacts such as abiotic and biotic mineral dissolution/precipitation reactivation and propagation of faults and fractures in caprock and host-rock wellbore instability due to cement degradation and casing corrosion and stress changes during hydrogen cycling. To provide a practical solution a technical screening tool has been developed considering controlling variables risks and consequences affecting storage integrity. Finally this paper highlights knowledge gaps and suggests feasible methods and pathways to mitigate these risks facilitating the development of large-scale underground hydrogen storage in depleted gas reservoirs.
Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Transportation: Recent Advances
Feb 2024
Publication
One such technology is hydrogen-based which utilizes hydrogen to generate energy without emission of greenhouse gases. The advantage of such technology is the fact that the only by-product is water. Efficient storage is crucial for the practical application of hydrogen. There are several techniques to store hydrogen each with certain advantages and disadvantages. In gaseous hydrogen storage hydrogen gas is compressed and stored at high pressures requiring robust and expensive pressure vessels. In liquid hydrogen storage hydrogen is cooled to extremely low temperatures and stored as a liquid which is energy-intensive. Researchers are exploring advanced materials for hydrogen storage including metal hydrides carbonbased materials metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanomaterials. These materials aim to enhance storage capacity kinetics and safety. The hydrogen economy envisions hydrogen as a clean energy carrier utilized in various sectors like transportation industry and power generation. It can contribute to decarbonizing sectors that are challenging to electrify directly. Hydrogen can play a role in a circular economy by facilitating energy storage supporting intermittent renewable sources and enabling the production of synthetic fuels and chemicals. The circular economy concept promotes the recycling and reuse of materials aligning with sustainable development goals. Hydrogen availability depends on the method of production. While it is abundant in nature obtaining it in a clean and sustainable manner is crucial. The efficiency of hydrogen production and utilization varies among methods with electrolysis being a cleaner but less efficient process compared to other conventional methods. Chemisorption and physisorption methods aim to enhance storage capacity and control the release of hydrogen. There are various viable options that are being explored to solve these challenges with one option being the use of a multilayer film of advanced metals. This work provides an overview of hydrogen economy as a green and sustainable energy system for the foreseeable future hydrogen production methods hydrogen storage systems and mechanisms including their advantages and disadvantages and the promising storage system for the future. In summary hydrogen holds great promise as a clean energy carrier and ongoing research and technological advancements are addressing challenges related to production storage and utilization bringing us closer to a sustainable hydrogen economy.
Assessment of Wettability and Rock-fluid Interfacial Tension of Caprock: Implications for Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Geo-storage
Mar 2022
Publication
Underground hydrogen (H2) storage (UHS) and carbon dioxide (CO2) geo-storage (CGS) are prominent methods of meeting global energy needs and enabling a low-carbon global economy. The pore-scale distribution reservoir-scale storage capacity and containment security of H2 and CO2 are significantly influenced by interfacial properties including the equilibrium contact angle (θE) and solid-liquid and solid-gas interfacial tensions (γSL and γSG). However due to the technical constraints of experimentally determining these parameters they are often calculated based on advancing and receding contact angle values. There is a scarcity of θE γSL and γSG data particularly related to the hydrogen structural sealing potential of caprock which is unavailable in the literature. Young's equation and Neumann's equation of state were combined in this study to theoretically compute these three parameters (θE γSL and γSG) at reservoir conditions for the H2 and CO2 geo-storage potential. Pure mica organic-aged mica and alumina nano-aged mica substrates were investigated to explore the conditions for rock wetting phenomena and the sealing potential of caprock. The results reveal that θE increases while γSG decreases with increasing pressure organic acid concentration and alkyl chain length. However γSG decreases with increasing temperatures for H2 gas and vice versa for CO2. In addition θE and γSL decrease whereas γSG increases with increasing alumina nanofluid concentration from 0.05 to 0.25 wt%. Conversely θE and γSL increase whereas γSG decreases with increasing alumina nanofluid concentration from 0.25 to 0.75 wt%. The hydrogen wettability of mica (a proxy of caprock) was generally less than the CO2 wettability of mica at similar physio-thermal conditions. The interfacial data reported in this study are crucial for predicting caprock wettability alterations and the resulting structural sealing capacity for UHS and CGS.
Evaluating Reservoir Suitability for Large-scale Hydrogen Storage: A Preliminary Assesment Considering Reservoir Properties
May 2024
Publication
With rising demand for clean energy global focus turns to finding ideal sites for large-scale underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in depleted petroleum reservoirs. A thorough preliminary reservoir evaluation before hydrogen (H2) injection is crucial for UHS success and safety. Recent criteria for UHS often emphasize economics and chemistry neglecting key reservoir attributes. This study introduces a comprehensive framework for the reservoir-scale preliminary assessment specifically tailored for long-term H2 storage within depleted gas reservoirs. The evaluation criteria encompass critical components including reservoir geometry petrophysical properties tectonics and formation fluids. To illustrate the practical application of this approach we assess the Barnett shale play reservoir parameters. The assessment unfolds through three key stages: (1) A systematic evaluation of the reservoir's properties against our comprehensive screening criteria determines its suitability for H2 storage. (2) Using both homogeneous and multilayered gas reservoir models we explore the feasibility and efficiency of H2 storage. This phase involves an in-depth examination of reservoir behavior during the injection stage. (3) To enhance understanding of UHS performance sensitivity analyses investigate the impact of varying reservoir dimensions and injection/production pressures. The findings reveal the following: (a) Despite potential challenges associated with reservoir compaction and aquifer support the reservoir exhibits substantial promise as an H2 storage site. (b) Notably a pronounced increase in reservoir pressure manifests during the injection stage particularly in homogeneous reservoirs. (c) Furthermore optimizing injection-extraction cycle efficiency can be achieved by augmenting reservoir dimensions while maintaining a consistent thickness. To ensure a smooth transition to implementation further comprehensive investigations are advised including experimental and numerical studies to address injectivity concerns and explore storage site development. This evaluation framework is a valuable tool for assessing the potential of depleted gas reservoirs for large-scale hydrogen storage advancing global eco-friendly energy systems.
An Ageing Test Standards Analysis on Thermoplastic Liners of Type IV Composite Hydrogen Storage Tanks
Mar 2023
Publication
The liner of a carbon fiber fully reinforced composite tank with thermoplastic liner (type IV) works in a hydrogen environment with varying temperature and pressure profiles. The ageing performance of the thermoplastic liner may affect hydrogen permeability and the consequent storage capacity degrade the mechanical properties and even increase the leakage risks of type IV tanks. In this paper both testing procedures and evaluation parameters of an ageing test in a hydrogen environment required in several standards are compared and analyzed. Hydrogen static exposure in a high-temperature condition with a constant temperature and pressure is suggested to be a reasonable way to accelerate the ageing reaction of thermoplastic materials. A total of 192 h is considered a superior ageing test duration to balance the test economy and safety. The ageing test temperature in the high-temperature condition is suggested as no lower than 85 ◦C while the upper limit of test pressure is suggested to be 1.25 NWP. In addition the hydrogen permeation coefficient and mechanical properties are recognized as important parameters in ageing performance evaluation. Considering the actual service conditions the influence of temperature/pressure cycling depressurization rate and humidity on the ageing performance of thermoplastics in hydrogen are advised to be investigated experimentally.
Preliminary Analysis of Refilling Cold-adsorbed Hydrogen Tanks
Sep 2023
Publication
The effective storage of hydrogen is a critical challenge that needs to be overcome for it to become a widely used and clean energy source. Various methods exist for storing hydrogen including compression at high pressures liquefaction through extreme cooling (i.e. -253 °C) and storage with chemical compounds. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. MAST3RBoost (Maturing the Production Standards of Ultraporous Structures for High Density Hydrogen Storage Bank Operating on Swinging Temperatures and Low Compression) is a European funded Project aiming to establish a reliable benchmark for cold-adsorbed H2 storage (CAH2) at low compression levels (100 bar or below). This is achieved through the development of advanced ultraporous materials suitable for mobility applications such as hydrogen-powered vehicles used in road railway air and water transportation. The MAST3RBoost Project utilizes cutting-edge materials including Activated Carbons (ACs) and high-density MOFs (Metalorganic Frameworks) which are enhanced by Machine Learning techniques. By harnessing these materials the project seeks to create a groundbreaking path towards meeting industry goals. The project aims to develop the world's first adsorption-based demonstrator at a significant kg-scale. To support the design of the storage tank the project employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software which allows for numerical investigations. In this paper a preliminary analysis of the tank refilling process is presented with a focus on the impact of the effect of the tank and hydrogen temperatures on quantity of hydrogen adsorbed.
Magnesium-Based Hydrogen Storage Alloys: Advances, Strategies, and Future Outlook for Clean Energy Applications
May 2024
Publication
Magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys have attracted significant attention as promising materials for solid-state hydrogen storage due to their high hydrogen storage capacity abundant reserves low cost and reversibility. However the widespread application of these alloys is hindered by several challenges including slow hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics high thermodynamic stability of magnesium hydride and limited cycle life. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth overview of the recent advances in magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys covering their fundamental properties synthesis methods modification strategies hydrogen storage performance and potential applications. The review discusses the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of magnesium-based alloys as well as the effects of alloying nanostructuring and surface modification on their hydrogen storage performance. The hydrogen absorption/desorption properties of different magnesium-based alloy systems are compared and the influence of various modification strategies on these properties is examined. The review also explores the potential applications of magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys including mobile and stationary hydrogen storage rechargeable batteries and thermal energy storage. Finally the current challenges and future research directions in this field are discussed highlighting the need for fundamental understanding of hydrogen storage mechanisms development of novel alloy compositions optimization of modification strategies integration of magnesium-based alloys into hydrogen storage systems and collaboration between academia and industry.
A Comparative Study on Energy Efficiency of the Maritime Supply Chains for Liquefied Hydrogen, Ammonia, Methanol and Natural Gas
Jun 2023
Publication
To cope with climate change emerging fuels- hydrogen ammonia and methanol- have been proposed as promising energy carriers that will replace part of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) in future maritime scenarios. Energy efficiency is an important indicator for evaluating the system but the maritime supply system for emerging fuels has yet to be revealed. In this study the energy efficiency of the maritime supply chain of hydrogen ammonia methanol and natural gas is investigated considering processes including production storage loading transport and unloading. A sensitivity analysis of parameters such as ambient temperature storage time pipeline length and sailing time is also carried out. The results show that hydrogen (2.366%) has the highest daily boil-off gas (BOG) rate and wastes more energy than LNG (0.413%) with ammonia and methanol both being lower than LNG. The recycling of BOG is of great importance to the hydrogen supply chain. When produced from renewable energy sources methanol (98.02%) is the most energy efficient followed by ammonia with hydrogen being the least (89.10%). This assessment shows from an energy efficiency perspective that ammonia and methanol have the potential to replace LNG as the energy carrier of the future and that hydrogen requires efficient BOG handling systems to increase competitiveness. This study provides some inspirations for the design of global maritime supply systems for emerging fuels.
Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) in Natural Storage Sites: A Perspective of Subsurface Characterization and Monitoring
Jan 2024
Publication
With the long-standing efforts of green transition in our society underground hydrogen storage (UHS) has emerged as a viable solution to buffering seasonal fluctuations of renewable energy supplies and demands. Like operations in hydrocarbon production and geological CO2 storage a successful UHS project requires a good understanding of subsurface formations while having different operational objectives and practical challenges. Similar to the situations in hydrocarbon production and geological CO2 storage in UHS problems the information of subsurface formations at the field level cannot be obtained through direct measurements due to the resulting high costs. As such there is a need for subsurface characterization and monitoring at the field scale which uses a certain history matching algorithm to calibrate a numerical subsurface model based on available field data. Whereas subsurface characterization and monitoring have been widely used in hydrocarbon production activities for a better understanding of hydrocarbon reservoirs to the best of our knowledge at present it appears to be a relatively less touched area in UHS problems. This work aims to narrow this noticed gap and investigates the use of an ensemble-based workflow for subsurface characterization and monitoring in a 3D UHS case study. Numerical results in this case study indicate that the ensemble-based workflow works reasonably well while also identifying some particular challenges that would be relevant to real-world problems.
Hydrogen Gas Compression for Efficient Storage: Balancing Energy and Increasing Density
May 2024
Publication
This article analyzes the processes of compressing hydrogen in the gaseous state an aspect considered important due to its contribution to the greater diffusion of hydrogen in both the civil and industrial sectors. This article begins by providing a concise overview and comparison of diverse hydrogen-storage methodologies laying the groundwork with an in-depth analysis of hydrogen’s thermophysical properties. It scrutinizes plausible configurations for hydrogen compression aiming to strike a delicate balance between energy consumption derived from the fuel itself and the requisite number of compression stages. Notably to render hydrogen storage competitive in terms of volume pressures of at least 350 bar are deemed essential albeit at an energy cost amounting to approximately 10% of the fuel’s calorific value. Multi-stage compression emerges as a crucial strategy not solely for energy efficiency but also to curtail temperature rises with an upper limit set at 200 ◦C. This nuanced approach is underlined by the exploration of compression levels commonly cited in the literature particularly 350 bar and 700 bar. The study advocates for a three-stage compression system as a pragmatic compromise capable of achieving high-pressure solutions while keeping compression work below 10 MJ/kg a threshold indicative of sustainable energy utilization.
Underground Hydrogen Storage in Salt Caverns: Laboratory Experiments to Determine Integrity of Rock Salt and Wellbore Through Effective Permeability Measurements
Dec 2024
Publication
Underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns is a promising solution for short-term storage allowing multiple cycles per year. This study experimentally investigates the integrity of such caverns and their wellbores under operating conditions typical of German salt caverns. Specifically we measure the permeability of rock salt cement (API Class G and High Magnesium Resistant (HMR+)) rock salt-anhydrite composites cement-salt composites and casing-cement composites. Rock salt demonstrates extremely low permeability (10− 23 m2 ) while casing-cement composites (HMR+) exhibit permeabilities similar to pure cement (10− 20 m2 or lower). Both salt-cement (HMR+) and casing-cement (HMR+) composites meet the strict tightness requirements for hydrogen storage (10− 19 m2 or less). While thin anhydrite layers in rock salt can increase permeability compaction can reduce it to levels comparable to rock salt. This study’s novelty lies in evaluating the feasibility of a real German cavern for hydrogen storage using a custom-built transient permeability setup capable of testing casing-cement composites at a 1:1 wellbore scale.
Pressure Decline and Gas Expansion in Underground Hydrogen Storage: A Pore-scale Percolation Study
Aug 2024
Publication
Using high-resolution micro-CT imaging at 2.98 μm/voxel we compared the percolation of hydrogen in gas injection with gas expansion for a hydrogen-brine system in Bentheimer sandstone at 1 MPa and 20 ◦C representing hydrogen storage in an aquifer. We introduced dimensionless numbers to quantify the contribution of advection and expansion to displacement. We analysed the 3D spatial distribution of gas and its displacement in both cases and demonstrated that in gas injection hydrogen can only advance from a connected cluster in an invasion-percolation type process while in gas expansion hydrogen can access more of the pore space even from disconnected clusters. The average gas saturation in the sample increased from 30% to 50% by gas expansion and we estimated that 10% of the expanded volume is attributed to hydrogen exsolution from the brine. This work emphasises the importance of studying the combined effects of pressure decline and gas withdrawal in hydrogen storage to assess the influence of gas expansion on remobilising trapped gases.
Optimizing Post-production Alternate Hydrogen Supply Chain Pathways - An Integrated TEA and LCA Approach
Dec 2024
Publication
This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic assessment (TEA) of alternative hydrogen supply chain (HSC) pathways with a focus on the conditioning transportation and reconditioning stages. The pathways assessed include compressed hydrogen liquefied hydrogen and ammonia as a hydrogen carrier. A distinctive feature of this study is its consideration of a broad range of operational capacities and transportation distances facility economies of scale and multiple vessel capacities. The TEA is complemented by a life cycle assessment (LCA) to incorporate environmental impacts ensuring a holistic analysis of economic and environmental tradeoffs. The results reveal that the compressed hydrogen pathway is optimal for short distances and low-demand scenarios with levelized costs of hydrogen (LCOH) ranging from $1.11/kg to $6.91/kg. Liquefied hydrogen shows economic competitiveness for medium distances with LCOH between $1.43/kg and $3.84/kg. Ammonia emerges as the most cost-effective for longer distances and higher demand levels with LCOH between $1.61/kg and $3.80/kg. However the LCA analysis revealed that the ammonia pathway incurs higher emissions particularly during the ammonia synthesis and cracking processes making it less promising from an integrated perspective. This integration of LCA results into the TEA framework provides a comprehensive view of each pathway accounting for both economic and environmental factors. This study provides a robust framework for guiding decision-makers in the development of an effective hydrogen supply chain integrating both economic and environmental considerations.
Analysis of Hydrogen Embrittlement on Aluminum Alloys for Vehicle-Mounted Hydrogen Storage Tanks: A Review
Aug 2021
Publication
High-pressure hydrogen tanks which are composed of an aluminum alloy liner and a carbon fiber wound layer are currently the most popular means to store hydrogen on vehicles. Nevertheless the aluminum alloy is easily affected by high-pressure hydrogen which leads to the appearance of hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Serious HE of hydrogen tank represents a huge dangers to the safety of vehicles and passengers. It is critical and timely to outline the mainstream approach and point out potential avenues for further investigation of HE. An analysis including the mechanism (including hydrogen-enhanced local plasticity model hydrogen-enhanced decohesion mechanism and hydrogen pressure theory) the detection (including slow strain rate test linearly increasing stress test and so on) and methods for the prevention of HE on aluminum alloys of hydrogen vehicles (such as coating) are systematically presented in this work. Moreover the entire experimental detection procedures for HE are expounded. Ultimately the prevention measures are discussed in detail. It is believed that further prevention measures will rely on the integration of multiple prevention methods. Successfully solving this problem is of great significance to reduce the risk of failure of hydrogen storage tanks and improve the reliability of aluminum alloys for engineering applications in various industries including automotive and aerospace.
Oxygen-rich Microporous Carbons with Exceptional Hydrogen Storage Capacity
Oct 2021
Publication
Porous carbons have been extensively investigated for hydrogen storage but to date appear to have an upper limit to their storage capacity. Here in an effort to circumvent this upper limit we explore the potential of oxygen-rich activated carbons. We describe cellulose acetate-derived carbons that combine high surface area (3800 m2 g−1 ) and pore volume (1.8 cm3 g−1 ) that arise almost entirely (>90%) from micropores with an oxygen-rich nature. The carbons exhibit enhanced gravimetric hydrogen uptake (8.1 wt% total and 7.0 wt% excess) at −196 °C and 20 bar rising to a total uptake of 8.9 wt% at 30 bar and exceptional volumetric uptake of 44 g l −1 at 20 bar and 48 g l −1 at 30 bar. At room temperature they store up to 0.8 wt% (excess) and 1.2 wt% (total) hydrogen at only 30 bar and their isosteric heat of hydrogen adsorption is above 10 kJ mol−1 .
Hydrogen Impact: A Review on Diffusibility, Embrittlement Mechanisms, and Characterization
Feb 2024
Publication
Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a broadly recognized phenomenon in metallic materials. If not well understood and managed HE may lead to catastrophic environmental failures in vessels containing hydrogen such as pipelines and storage tanks. HE can affect the mechanical properties of materials such as ductility toughness and strength mainly through the interaction between metal defects and hydrogen. Various phenomena such as hydrogen adsorption hydrogen diffusion and hydrogen interactions with intrinsic trapping sites like dislocations voids grain boundaries and oxide/matrix interfaces are involved in this process. It is important to understand HE mechanisms to develop effective hydrogen resistant strategies. Tensile double cantilever beam bent beam and fatigue tests are among the most common techniques employed to study HE. This article reviews hydrogen diffusion behavior mechanisms and characterization techniques.
Knowledge Production in Technological Innovation System: A Comprehensive Evaluation using a Multi-criteria Framework based on Patent Data - A Case Study on Hydrogen Storage
Jan 2025
Publication
Knowledge production activity is central within a technological innovation system. The number of patent ap plications is commonly used to evaluate this activity. However it is subject to bias and inaccurate evaluations can occur. This article proposes a multi-criteria framework based on seven complementary patent indicators taking into account the persistence commitment and coherence of knowledge production activities for a more comprehensive evaluation. We demonstrate the value of our proposal through a case study on hydrogen storage comparing patent data since 2000 about three technological solutions: physical chemical and adsorption technologies. Our framework clearly shows that physical hydrogen storage is the most advanced in terms of knowledge production despite not having the highest number of patent applications.
2D MXene: From Synthesis to Storage - Exploring their Potential as Sparking Materials for Hydrogen Storage
Jul 2025
Publication
In the advancing landscape of sustainable energy the development of efficient and reversible hydrogen storage materials operable under ambient conditions remains a critical challenge for material scientists and the broader research community. Hydrogen owing to its exceptionally high energy density is regarded as a leading candidate for facilitating the transition from conventional fossil fuels to cleaner renewable energy systems. However alongside its production the safe and efficient storage of hydrogen presents a significant bottleneck due to its low volumetric density and associated safety concerns.<br/>Conventional storage techniques such as high-pressure compression and cryogenic liquefaction though widely used demand complex infrastructure and carry substantial safety risks. These limitations have steered growing interest toward solid-state hydrogen storage systems that rely on physisorption or chemisorption mechanisms preferably operating near ambient conditions. Consequently the pursuit of materials with favourable thermodynamics and kinetics for reversible hydrogen uptake and release has become imperative. Among the emerging candidates MXenes a class of two-dimensional (2D) materials comprising transition metal carbides nitrides or carbonitrides have garnered significant attention due to their high surface area tuneable surface chemistry and excellent conductivity.<br/>Despite the growing body of literature on hydrogen storage using MXenes a comprehensive evaluation that bridges the gap between theoretical predictions and experimental realities remains limited. This review addresses that gap by critically examining current strategies for solid-state hydrogen storage with a particular emphasis on MXene-based materials. It highlights the influence of synthesis techniques on structural properties discusses the mechanisms of hydrogen interaction with MXene surfaces and evaluates their practical implications in real-world applications. While the potential of MXenes in hydrogen storage is considerable it is not yet fully realized. This article provides an in-depth assessment of the current advancements challenges and future directions for MXene-based materials in the context of hydrogen storage offering valuable insights for both fundamental research and applied energy systems.
Exploring Decentralized Ammonia Synthesis for Hydrogen Storage and Transport: A Comprehensive CFD Investigation with Experimental Validation and Parametric Study
Sep 2023
Publication
Hydrogen energy plays a vital role in the transition towards a carbon-neutral society but faces challenges in storage and transport as well as in production due to fluctuations in renewable electricity generation. Ammonia (NH3 ) as a carbon-neutral hydrogen carrier offers a promising solution to the energy storage and transport problem. To realize its potential and support the development of a hydrogen economy exploring NH3 synthesis in a decentralized form that integrates with distributed hydrogen production systems is highly needed. In this study a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for the Ruthenium (Ru) catalysts-based Haber– Bosch reactor is developed. First a state-of-the-art kinetic model comprehensively describing the complex catalytic reaction is assessed for its sensitivity and applicability to temperature pressure and conversion. Then the kinetic model is integrated into the CFD model and its accuracy is verified through comparison with experimental data obtained from different Ru-based catalysts and operation conditions. Detailed CFD results for a given case are presented offering a visual understanding of thermal gradients and species distributions inside the reactor. Finally a CFD-based parametric study is performed to reveal the impacts of key operation parameters and optimize the NH3 synthesis reactor. The results show that the NH3 production rate is predominantly influenced by temperature with a two-fold difference observed for every 30 ◦C variation while pressure primarily affects the equilibrium. Additionally the affecting mechanism of space velocity is thoroughly discussed and the best value for efficient NH3 synthesis is found to be 180000 h−1. In conclusion the CFD model and simulation results provide valuable insights for the design and control of decentralized NH3 synthesis reactor and operation contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy technologies.
Energy Storage Strategy - Narrative
Feb 2023
Publication
This narrative document sets out the main rationale for hydrogen storage development at scale in the UK: - To meet net zero the UK will need considerable energy storage - Hydrogen storage will be a major and essential part of this - Physical hydrogen storage is needed in the UK - Only geological hydrogen storage can deliver at the scale needed within the timescales for net zero - Geological hydrogen storage should be supported through a viable business model now to ensure it comes online in the 2030s.
Hydrogen Storage Capacity of Salt Caverns and Deep Aquifers Versus Demand for Hydrogen Storage: A Case Study of Poland
Nov 2023
Publication
Geological structures in deep aquifers and salt caverns can play an important role in large-scale hydrogen storage. However more work needs to be done to address the hydrogen storage demand for zero-emission energy systems. Thus the aim of the article is to present the demand for hydrogen storage expressed in the number of salt caverns in bedded rock salt deposits and salt domes or the number of structures in deep aquifers. The analysis considers minimum and maximum hydrogen demand cases depending on future energy system configurations in 2050. The method used included the estimation of the storage capacity of salt caverns in bedded rock salt deposits and salt domes and selected structures in deep aquifers. An estimation showed a large hydrogen storage potential of geological structures. In the case of analyzed bedded rock salt deposits and salt domes the average storage capacity per cavern is 0.05–0.09 TWhH2 and 0.06–0.20 TWhH2 respectively. Hydrogen storage capacity in analyzed deep aquifers ranges from 0.016 to 4.46 TWhH2. These values indicate that in the case of the upper bound for storage demand there is a need for the 62 to 514 caverns depending on considered bedded rock salt deposits and salt domes or the 9 largest analyzed structures in deep aquifers. The results obtained are relevant to the discussion on the global hydrogen economy and the methodology can be used for similar considerations in other countries.
Laboratory Studies on Underground H2 Storage: Bibliometric Analysis and Review of Current Knowledge
Dec 2024
Publication
: The global demand for energy and the need to mitigate climate change require a shift from traditional fossil fuels to sustainable and renewable energy alternatives. Hydrogen is recognized as a significant component for achieving a carbon-neutral economy. This comprehensive review examines the underground hydrogen storage and particularly laboratory-scale studies related to rock– hydrogen interaction exploring current knowledge. Using bibliometric analysis of data from the Scopus and Web of Science databases this study reveals an exponential increase in scientific publications post-2015 which accounts for approximately 85.26% of total research output in this field and the relevance of laboratory experiments to understand the physicochemical interactions of hydrogen with geological formations. Processes in underground hydrogen storage are controlled by a set of multi-scale parameters including solid properties (permeability porosity composition and geomechanical properties) and fluid properties (liquid and gas density viscosity etc.) together with fluid–fluid and solid–fluid interactions (controlled by solubility wettability chemical reactions etc.). Laboratory experiments aim to characterize these parameters and their evolution simulating real-world storage conditions to enhance the reliability and applicability of findings. The review emphasizes the need to expand research efforts globally to comprehensively address the currently existing issues and knowledge gaps.
A Review on Underground Gas Storage Systems: Natural Gas, Hydrogen and Carbon Sequestration
May 2023
Publication
The concept of underground gas storage is based on the natural capacity of geological formations such as aquifers depleted oil and gas reservoirs and salt caverns to store gases. Underground storage systems can be used to inject and store natural gas (NG) or hydrogen which can be withdrawn for transport to end-users or for use in industrial processes. Geological formations can additionally be used to securely contain harmful gases such as carbon dioxide deep underground by means of carbon capture and sequestration technologies. This paper defines and discusses underground gas storage highlighting commercial and pilot projects and the behavior of different gases (i.e. CH4 H2 and CO2) when stored underground as well as associated modeling investigations. For underground NG/H2 storage the maintenance of optimal subsurface conditions for efficient gas storage necessitates the use of a cushion gas. Cushion gas is injected before the injection of the working gas (NG/H2). The behavior of cushion gas varies based on the type of gas injected. Underground NG and H2 storage systems operate similarly. However compared to NG storage several challenges could be faced during H2 storage due to its low molecular mass. Underground NG storage is widely recognized and utilized as a reference for subsurface H2 storage systems. Furthermore this paper defines and briefly discusses carbon capture and sequestration underground. Most reported studies investigated the operating and cushion gas mixture. The mixture of operating and cushion gas was studied to explore how it could affect the recovered gas quality from the reservoir. The cushion gas was shown to influence the H2 capacity. By understanding and studying the different underground system technologies future directions for better management and successful operation of such systems are thereby highlighted.
Innovations in Hydrogen Storage Materials: Synthesis, Applications, and Prospects
Jul 2024
Publication
Hydrogen globally recognized as the most efficient and clean energy carrier holds the potential to transform future energy systems through its use as a fuel and chemical resource. Although progress has been made in reversible hydrogen adsorption and release challenges in storage continue to impede widespread adoption. This review explores recent advancements in hydrogen storage materials and synthesis methods emphasizing the role of nanotechnology and innovative synthesis techniques in enhancing storage performance and addressing these challenges to drive progress in the field. The review provides a comprehensive overview of various material classes including metal hydrides complex hydrides carbon materials metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous materials. Over 60 % of reviewed studies focused on metal hydrides and alloys for hydrogen storage. Additionally the impact of nanotechnology on storage performance and the importance of optimizing synthesis parameters to tailor material properties for specific applications are summarized. Various synthesis methods are evaluated with a special emphasis on the role of nanotechnology in improving storage performance. Mechanical milling emerges as a commonly used and cost-effective method for fabricating intermetallic hydrides capable of adjusting hydrogen storage properties. The review also explores hydrogen storage tank embrittlement mechanisms particularly subcritical crack growth and examines the advantages and limitations of different materials for various applications supported by case studies showcasing real-world implementations. The challenges underscore current limitations in hydrogen storage materials highlighting the need for improved storage capacity and kinetics. The review also explores prospects for developing materials with enhanced performance and safety providing a roadmap for ongoing advancements in the field. Key findings and directions for future research in hydrogen storage materials emphasize their critical role in shaping future energy systems.
Multi-criteria Site Selection Workflow for Geological Storage of Hydrogen in Depleted Gas Fields: A Case for the UK
Oct 2023
Publication
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) plays a critical role in ensuring the stability and security of the future clean energy supply. However the efficiency and reliability of UHS technology depend heavily on the careful and criteria-driven selection of suitable storage sites. This study presents a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making framework integrating the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Preference Ranking Organisation Method for Enrichment of Evaluations (PROMETHEE) to identify and select the best hydrogen storage sites among depleted gas reservoirs in the UK. To achieve this a new set of site selection criteria is proposed in light of the technical and economic aspects of UHS including location reservoir rock quality and tectonic characteristics maximum achievable hydrogen well deliverability rate working gas capacity cushion gas volume requirement distance to future potential hydrogen clusters and access to intermittent renewable energy sources (RESs). The framework is implemented to rank 71 reservoirs based on their potential and suitability for UHS. Firstly the reservoirs are thoroughly evaluated for each proposed criterion and then the AHP-PROMETHEE technique is employed to prioritise the criteria and rank the storage sites. The study reveals that the total calculated working gas capacity based on single-well plateau withdrawal rates is around 881 TWh across all evaluated reservoirs. The maximum well deliverability rates for hydrogen withdrawal are found to vary considerably among the sites; however 22 % are estimated to have deliverability rates exceeding 100 sm3 /d and 63 % are located within a distance of 100 km from a major hydrogen cluster. Moreover 70 % have access to nearby RESs developments with an estimated cumulative RESs capacity of approximately 181 GW. The results highlight the efficacy of the proposed multicriteria site selection framework. The top five highest-ranked sites for UHS based on the evaluated criteria are the Cygnus Hamilton Saltfleetby Corvette and Hatfield Moors gas fields. The insights provided by this study can contribute to informed decision-making sustainable development and the overall progress of future UHS projects within the UK and globally.
Computational Predictions of Hydrogen-assisted Fatigue Crack Growth
May 2024
Publication
A new model is presented to predict hydrogen-assisted fatigue. The model combines a phase field description of fracture and fatigue stress-assisted hydrogen diffusion and a toughness degradation formulation with cyclic and hydrogen contributions. Hydrogen-assisted fatigue crack growth predictions exhibit an excellent agreement with experiments over all the scenarios considered spanning multiple load ratios H2 pressures and loading frequencies. These are obtained without any calibration with hydrogen-assisted fatigue data taking as input only mechanical and hydrogen transport material properties the material’s fatigue characteristics (from a single test in air) and the sensitivity of fracture toughness to hydrogen content. Furthermore the model is used to determine: (i) what are suitable test loading frequencies to obtain conservative data and (ii) the underestimation made when not pre-charging samples. The model can handle both laboratory specimens and large-scale engineering components enabling the Virtual Testing paradigm in infrastructure exposed to hydrogen environments and cyclic loading.
Small-Scale High-Pressure Hydrogen Storage Vessels: A Review
Feb 2024
Publication
Nowadays high-pressure hydrogen storage is the most commercially used technology owing to its high hydrogen purity rapid charging/discharging of hydrogen and low-cost manufacturing. Despite numerous reviews on hydrogen storage technologies there is a relative scarcity of comprehensive examinations specifically focused on high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage and its associated materials. This article systematically presents the manufacturing processes and materials used for a variety of high-pressure hydrogen storage containers including metal cylinders carbon fiber composite cylinders and emerging glass material-based hydrogen storage containers. Furthermore it introduces the relevant principles and theoretical studies showcasing their advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional high-pressure hydrogen storage containers. Finally this article provides an outlook on the future development of high-pressure hydrogen storage containers.
A General Criterion for the Design and Operation of Flexible Hydrogen Storage in Power-to-X Processed
Dec 2024
Publication
This paper introduces a general criterion for the optimal design and operation of hydrogen storage tanks. Specifically the proposed procedure identifies the optimal delivery schedule that minimizes the capacity of material storage systems. Indeed many manufacturing processes need some buffer storage to administer mass flows appropriately according to the operating needs (one class above all: Power-to-X processes) and have one of their highest expenditures right in those tanks when proving not sufficiently flexible. Hence the novelty of the proposed method lies in a rigorous mathematical formulation that converts arbitrarily fluctuating inlet streams into optimally fluctuating outlet streams that minimize the storage volume and comply with different operating requirements. The criterion is validated by considering the techno-economic assessment of a chemical plant featuring a dedicated green hydrogen production facility that feeds the process. Specifically the required capacity of the “Flexible” hydrogen buffer storage which connects the green hydrogen generation system to the conversion process significantly decreases by 91.31%–99.31% (depending on the flexibility ranges enabled by the downstream conversion process) compared to the “Rigid” storage alternative based on a constant outlet mass flow withdrawal coinciding with the hydrogen consumption rate at nominal operating conditions. Correspondingly the resulting levelized cost of hydrogen benefits accordingly ranging from 4.19 to 6.03 USD/kg (California 2023).
Mechanistic Evaluation of the Reservoir Engineering Performance for the Underground Hydrogen Storage in a Deep North Sea Aquifer
Jul 2023
Publication
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in aquifers salt caverns and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs allows for the storage of larger volumes of H2 compared to surface storage in vessels. In this work we investigate the impact of aquifer-related mechanisms and parameters on the performance of UHS in an associated North Sea aquifer using 3D numerical compositional simulations. Simulation results revealed that the aquifer's permeability heterogeneity has a significant impact on the H2 recovery efficiency where a more homogenous rock would lead to improved H2 productivity. The inclusion of relative permeability hysteresis resulted in a drop in the H2 injectivity and recovery due to H2 discontinuity inside the aquifer which leads to residual H2 during the withdrawal periods. In contrast the effects of hydrogen solubility and hydrogen diffusion were negligible when studied each in isolation from other factors. Hence it is essential to properly account for hysteresis and heterogeneity when evaluating UHS in aquifers.
Environmental Assessment of a Hydrogen Supply Chain Using LOHC System with Novel Low-PGM Catalysts: A Life Cycle Approach
Nov 2024
Publication
Hydrogen has emerged as a key element in the transition to a sustainable energy model. Among hydrogen storage and transport technologies liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) stand out as a promising alternative for large-scale long-term use. Catalysts essential in these systems are usually composed of platinum group metals (PGMs) over alumina known for their high cost and scarcity. This study analyzes the overall environmental impact of the LOHC benzyltoluene/perhydro-benzyltoluene-based hydrogen supply chain by means of the life cycle assessment (LCA) focusing on the synthesis processes of novel low-PGM catalysts which remain under explored in existing literature. The results identify dehydrogenation as the most impactful step due to significant heat consumption and highlight the substantial environmental footprint associated with the use of platinum in catalyst production. This research provides crucial insights into the environmental implications of LOHC systems particularly the role of novel low-PGM catalysts and offers guidance for their future large-scale applications.
Techno-economic Assessment of Liquid Carrier Methods for Intercontinental Shipping of Hydrogen: A Case Study
Nov 2024
Publication
As global economies seek to transition to low-carbon energy systems to achieve net zero targets hydrogen has potential to play a key role to decarbonise sectors that are unsuited to electrification or where long-term energy storage is required. Hydrogen can also assist in enabling decentralized renewable power generation to satisfy higher electricity demand to match the scale-up of electrified technologies. In this context suitable transport storage and distribution networks will be essential to connect hydrogen generation and utilisation sites. This paper presents a techno-economic impact evaluation of international marine hydrogen transportation between Canada and the Netherlands comparing liquid hydrogen ammonia and a dibenzyl toluene liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) as potential transport vectors. Economic costs energy consumption and losses in each phase of the transportation system were analysed for each vector. Based on the devised scenarios our model suggests levelised costs of hydrogen of 6.35–9.49 $2022/kgH2 and pathway efficiencies of 55.6–71.9%. While liquid hydrogen was identified as the most cost-competitive carrier sensitivity analysis revealed a merit order for system optimisation strategies based upon which LOHC could outperform both liquid hydrogen and ammonia in the future.
A Review on the Overall Performance of Metal Hydride-Based Hydrogen Storage Systems
Mar 2025
Publication
Metal hydride-based hydrogen storage (MHHS) has been used for several purposes including mobile and stationary applications. In general the overall MHHS performance for both applications depends on three main factors which are the appropriate selection of metal hydride material uses design configurations of the MHHS based on the heat exchanger and overall operating conditions. However there are different specific requirements for the two applications. The weight of the overall MHHS is the key requirement for mobile applications while hydrogen storage capacity is the key requirement for stationary applications. Based on these requirements several techniques have been recently used to enhance MHHS performance by mostly considering the faster hydrogen absorption/desorption reaction. Considering metal hydride (MH) materials their low thermal conductivity significantly impacts the hydrogen absorption/desorption reaction. For this purpose a comprehensive understanding of these three main factors and the hydrogen absorption/desorption reaction is critical and it should be up to date to obtain the suitable MHHS performance for all related applications. Therefore this article reviews the key techniques which have recently been applied for the enhancement of MHHS performance. In the review it is demonstrated that the design and layout of the heat exchanger greatly affect the performance of the internal heat exchanger. The initial temperature of the heat transfer fluid and hydrogen supply pressure are the main parameters to increase the hydrogen sorption rate and specific heating power. The higher supply pressure results in the improvement in specific heating power. For the metal hydride material selection under the consideration of mobile applications and stationary applications it is important to strike trade-offs between hydrogen storage capacity weight material cost and effective thermal conductivity.
Hydrogen Pipelines and Embrittlement in Gaseous Environments: An Up-to-date Review
Mar 2025
Publication
Pipelines represent the most economical and efficient means for transporting hydrogen in large volumes across vast distances contributing to accelerated realization of hydrogen economy. Nowadays the development of hydrogen pipeline projects including repurposing existing pipelines for hydrogen service has become a global interest especially in those major energy-producing and energy-consuming countries. However steel pipelines are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in high-pressure hydrogen gas environments potentially leading to pipeline failures. In this review we establish a comprehensive knowledge base for comprehending testing and evaluating the gaseous HE in pipelines by a thorough examination of relevant research work. In addition to an overview of some major hydrogen pipeline projects in the world the article consists of four integral parts essential to gaseous HE studies namely methods for exposure of steels to high-pressure hydrogen gas; measurements of the quantity of H atoms inside the steels; stress-strain behavior of pipeline steels under highpressure hydrogen gas exposure; and fracture and fatigue testing of pre-cracked steels within gaseous environments. Further research into gaseous HE in pipelines focuses on developing standardized quantitative and consistent methods to assess and define the susceptibility of pipelines to gaseous HE.
Electrochemical Compression Technologies for High-pressure Hydrogen: Current Status, Challenges and Perspective
Aug 2020
Publication
Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier in future applications due to clean byproducts and high efciency. However many challenges remain in the application of hydrogen including hydrogen production delivery storage and conversion. In terms of hydrogen storage two compression modes (mechanical and non-mechanical compressors) are generally used to increase volume density in which mechanical compressors with several classifcations including reciprocating piston compressors hydrogen diaphragm compressors and ionic liquid compressors produce signifcant noise and vibration and are expensive and inefcient. Alternatively non-mechanical compressors are faced with issues involving large-volume requirements slow reaction kinetics and the need for special thermal control systems all of which limit large-scale development. As a result modular safe inexpensive and efcient methods for hydrogen storage are urgently needed. And because electrochemical hydrogen compressors (EHCs) are modular highly efcient and possess hydrogen purifcation functions with no moving parts they are becoming increasingly prominent. Based on all of this and for the frst time this review will provide an overview of various hydrogen compression technologies and discuss corresponding structures principles advantages and limitations. This review will also comprehensively present the recent progress and existing issues of EHCs and future hydrogen compression techniques as well as corresponding containment membranes catalysts gas difusion layers and fow felds. Furthermore engineering perspectives are discussed to further enhance the performance of EHCs in terms of the thermal management water management and the testing protocol of EHC stacks. Overall the deeper understanding of potential relationships between performance and component design in EHCs as presented in this review can guide the future development of anticipated EHCs.
Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Hydrogen Transport by Ammonia
Nov 2024
Publication
Ammonia is a promising hydrogen carrier for enabling the efficient transport of hydrogen as observed by the many hydrogen transport projects using ammonia. For the clean energy future understanding environmental impacts of the transport system is important. This study conducts life cycle assessment (LCA) for the marine transport of renewable hydrogen using ammonia as the hydrogen carrier. The LCA considered renewable hydrogen produced from four systems; wind-powered electrolysis gasification of forest residue anaerobic digestion of food waste and landfill gas reforming; followed by Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis using the renewable hydrogen and nitrogen produced from air separation. The ammonia was then transported 11000 km by sea to a destination facility where it was decomposed using either Ru or Ni catalysts to obtain hydrogen. Among the four hydrogen transport systems operated with renewable energy electrolysis-hydrogen system presented the highest global warming impact of 3.31 kg CO2 eq/kg H2 due to electricity use for the electrolysis whereas simpler processes based on a landfill gas system led to the lowest impact of 2.27 kg CO2 eq/kg H2. Process energy consumption was the major contributor to global warming impact with 27%–49.2% of contri bution. The consumption of metals and energy during wind turbine construction resulted in the most significant impact in six out of 12 midpoint impact categories for the electrolysis-hydrogen system which also led to the highest endpoint impacts. The endpoint impacts of the four systems were in the order of electrolysis > food waste > forest residue > landfill gas (from high to low) for both endpoint human health and ecosystems impacts. Ammonia decomposition using Ru catalysts exhibited slightly lower global warming impact than Ni catalysts while final purification of hydrogen by vanadium membrane presented 4.8% lower impacts than the purification by pressure swing adsorption. Large-scale hydrogen supply chains can be achieved by technological improve ment and support of policies and financial schemes.
Overview of Hydrogen Storage and Transportation Technology in China
Jul 2023
Publication
In response to the global climate change and the need for green and low-carbon development hydrogen energy has been recognized as a clean energy source that can achieve carbon neutrality unlike fossil fuels. As a country with a shortage of energy resources the development of hydrogen energy is of significant importance for China to adjust its energy structure and accelerate the new era of energy transformation. Based on the development of China’s hydrogen energy industry this paper elaborates on the current status and development trends of key technologies in the entire industrial chain of hydrogen energy in various stages including production storage transportation and application and identifies the problems and challenges of hydrogen energy development. The paper focuses on the analysis of hydrogen storage and transportation application scenarios and clarifies the selection of hydrogen storage and transportation technologies in different scenarios. To achieve healthy devel opment of China’s hydrogen energy industry it is necessary to strengthen top-level design make strategic planning encourage large-scale state-owned energy enterprises to play a leading role promote the development of the entire industry chain increase technological research and development efforts prevent the risk of core technology constraints and vigorously promote the application of hydrogen energy to realize the construction of a hydrogen energy society.
Hydrogen Storage Minimisation under Industrial Flexibility Constraints: A Techno-economic Analysis of Off-grid Green Ammonia Production
Feb 2025
Publication
Electrifying ammonia production using renewable energy (RE) and water electrolysis is a critical step in the worldwide transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources. However the common requirement that the ammonia reactor operate at a steady production level harms the system’s economic feasibility due to the large hydrogen and battery storage required to overcome RE variability. In this study we examine the sensitivity of the plant storage capacity requirement to the flexibility of the ammonia reactor. We examine two aspects of ammonia reactor flexibility: ramping rate flexibility and the range of operation (turndown flexibility). We develop a storage dispatch and ammonia reactor scheduling optimization which computes the minimum storage requirement given a RE generation profile and set of reactor flexibility parameters. We optimize across a sweep of flexibility parameters for two locations in the United States. We find that turndown flexibility is the most important while ramping flexibility has little effect on the overall storage requirement. Further we see that seasonal variability in the RE generation profile is the primary driver of high storage capacity requirement. We find that with a turndown flexibility of 60% of the ammonia plants rated capacity which is understood to be achievable with existing ammonia reactor technology the storage capacity was reduced by 84 % in one of the locations we examined which resulted in a 22% decrease in the levelized cost of ammonia with pipe-based hydrogen storage.
Integrated Battery and Hydrogen Energy Storage for Enhanced Grid Power Savings and Green Hydrogen Utilization
Aug 2024
Publication
This study explores the integration and optimization of battery energy storage systems (BESSs) and hydrogen energy storage systems (HESSs) within an energy management system (EMS) using Kangwon National University’s Samcheok campus as a case study. This research focuses on designing BESSs and HESSs with specific technical specifications such as energy capacities and power ratings and their integration into the EMS. By employing MATLAB-based simulations this study analyzes energy dynamics grid interactions and load management strategies under various operational scenarios. Real-time data from the campus are utilized to examine energy consumption renewable energy generation grid power fluctuations and pricing dynamics providing key insights for system optimization. This study finds that a BESS manages energy fluctuations between 0.5 kWh and 3.7 kWh over a 24 h period with battery power remaining close to 4 W for extended periods. Grid power fluctuates between −5 kW and 75 kW while grid prices range from 75 to 120 USD/kWh peaking at 111 USD/kWh. Hydrogen energy storage varies from 1 kWh to 8 kWh with hydrogen power ranging from −40 kW to 40 kW. Load management keeps power stable at around 35 kW and PV power integration peaks at 48 kW by the 10th h. The findings highlight that BESSs and HESSs effectively manage energy distribution and storage improving system efficiency reducing energy costs by approximately 15% and enhancing grid stability by 20%. This study underscores the potential of BESSs and HESSs in stabilizing grid operations and integrating renewable energy. Future directions include advancements in storage technologies enhanced EMS capabilities through artificial intelligence and machine learning and the development of smart grid infrastructures. Policy recommendations stress the importance of regulatory support and stakeholder collaboration to drive innovation and scale deployment ensuring a sustainable energy future.
Hydrogen in Natural Gas Grids: Prospects and Recommendations About Gas Flow Meters
Aug 2024
Publication
To inject green hydrogen (H2) into the existing natural gas (NG) infrastructure is one way to decarbonize the European energy system. However asset readiness is necessary to be successful. Preliminary analysis and experimental results about the compatibility of hydrogen and natural gas mixtures (H2NG) with the actual gas grids make the scientific community confident about the feasibility. Nevertheless specific technical questions need more research. A significant topic of debate is the impact of H2NG mixtures on the performance of state-ofthe-art fiscal measuring devices which are essential for accurate billing. Identifying and addressing any potential degradation in their metrological performance due to H2NG is critical for decision-making. However the literature lacks data about the gas meters’ technologies currently installed in the NG grids such as a comprehensive overview of their readiness at different concentrations while data are fragmented among different sources. This paper addresses these gaps by analyzing the main characteristics and categorizing more than 20000 gas meters installed in THOTH2 project partners’ grids and by summarizing the performance of traditional technologies with H2NG mixtures and pure H2 based on literature review operators experience and manufacturers knowledge. Based on these insights recommendations are given to stakeholders on overcoming the identified barriers to facilitate a smooth transition.
CFD Simulations of Hydrogen Tank Fuelling: Sensitivity to Turbulence Model and Grid Resolution
Dec 2023
Publication
CFD modelling of compressed hydrogen fuelling provides information on the hydrogen and tank structure temperature dynamics required for onboard storage tank design and fuelling protocol development. This study compares five turbulence models to develop a strategy for costeffective CFD simulations of hydrogen fuelling while maintaining a simulation accuracy acceptable for engineering analysis: RANS models k-ε and RSM; hybrid models SAS and DES; and LES model. Simulations were validated against the fuelling experiment of a Type IV 29 L tank available in the literature. For RANS with wall functions and blended models with near-wall treatment the simulated average hydrogen temperatures deviated from the experiment by 1–3% with CFL ≈ 1–3 and dimensionless wall distance y + ≈ 50–500 in the tank. To provide a similar simulation accuracy the LES modelling approach with near-wall treatment requires mesh with wall distance y + ≈ 2–10 and demonstrates the best-resolved flow field with larger velocity and temperature gradients. LES simulation on this mesh however implies a ca. 60 times longer CPU time compared to the RANS modelling approach and 9 times longer compared to the hybrid models due to the time step limit enforced by the CFL ≈ 1.0 criteria. In all cases the simulated pressure histories and inlet mass flow rates have a difference within 1% while the average heat fluxes and maximum hydrogen temperature show a difference within 10%. Compared to LES the k-ε model tends to underestimate and DES tends to overestimate the temperature gradient inside the tank. The results of RSM and SAS are close to those of LES albeit of 8–9 times faster simulations.
The Potential of Polymers and Glass to Enhance Hydrogen Storage Capicity: A Mathematical Approach
Dec 2024
Publication
This manuscript contributes to understanding the role of hydrogen in different materials emphasizing polymers and composite materials to increase hydrogen storage capacity in those materials. Hydrogen storage is critical in advancing and optimizing sustainable energy solutions that are essential for improving their performance. Capillary arrays which offer increased surface area and optimized storage geometries present a promising avenue for enhancing hydrogen uptake. This work evaluates various polymers and glass for their mechanical properties and strength with 700 bar inner pressure loads within capillary tubes. A theoretical mathematical approach was employed to quantify the impact of material properties on storage capacity. Our results demonstrate that certain polymers (e.g. Zylon AS Dyneema SK99) and glass types (S-2 Glass) exhibit superior hydrogen storage potential due to their enhanced strength and low density. These findings suggest that integrating the proposed materials into capillary array systems can significantly improve hydrogen storage efficiency (15–37 wt.% and 37–40 g/L) making them viable candidates for next-generation energy storage systems. This study provides valuable insights into material selection and structural design strategies for high-capacity hydrogen storage technologies.
Optimum Geological Storage Depths for Structural H2 Geo-storage
Sep 2021
Publication
H2 geo-storage has been suggested as a key technology with which large quantities of H2 can be stored and withdrawn again rapidly. One option which is currently explored is H2 storage in sedimentary geologic for mations which are geographically widespread and potentially provide large storage space. The mechanism which keeps the buoyant H2 in the subsurface is structural trapping where a caprock prevents the H2 from rising by capillary forces. It is therefore important to assess how much H2 can be stored via structural trapping under given geo-thermal conditions. This structural trapping capacity is thus assessed here and it is demonstrated that an optimum storage depth for H2 exists at a depth of 1100 m at which a maximum amount of H2 can be stored. This work therefore aids in the industrial-scale implementation of a hydrogen economy.
A Review of Type V Composite Pressure Vessels and Automated Fibre Placement Based Manufacturing
Feb 2023
Publication
Hydrogen is emerging as a promising future energy medium in a wide range of industries. For mobile applica tions it is commonly stored in a gaseous state within high-pressure composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs). The current state of the art pressure vessel technology known as Type V eliminates the internal polymer gas barrier used in Type IV vessels and instead relies on carbon fibre laminate to provide structural properties and prevent gas leakage. Achieving this functionality at high pressure poses several engineering challenges that have thus far prohibited commercial application. Additionally the traditional manufacturing process for COPVs filament winding has several constraints that limit the design space. Automated fibre placement (AFP) a highly flexible robotic composites manufacturing technique has the potential to replace filament winding for composite pressure vessel manufacturing and provide pathways for further vessel optimi sation. A combination of both AFP and Type V technology could provide an avenue for a new generation of highperformance composite pressure vessels. This critical review presents key work on industry-standard Type IV vessels alongside the current state of Type V CPV technology including manufacturing developments challenges cost relevance to commercial standards and future fabrication solutions using AFP. Additionally a novel Type V CPV design concept for a two-piece AFP produced vessel is presented.
Is Renewable Energy Storage Sustainable? A Review
Jan 2025
Publication
Transformation of energy supply systems into green intensifies the use of renewable energy sources. Renewables cannot continuously supply energy. Therefore energy storage systems are very important in the whole system of generation and distribution. Anyway energy storage systems have many issues in terms of sustainability. This paper classified energy storage and analyzed issues in their sustainability solutions. In addition it determines the key performance indicators that define the sustainability of energy storage systems. This analysis determined many sustainability problems presented by the information for each key performance indicator. The least negative impact is shown for the performance of mechanical energy storage and sensible/latent heat storage. The production of green hydrogen green ammonia and biogas showed some negative impact. The worst sustainability is related to energy storage technologies or electrochemical energy storage technologies.
Study of Thermal Behavior on Multi-tank Cascade System for Ship-borne Hydrogen Storage Tank Using a New Design Configuration
Feb 2025
Publication
Hydrogen tanks (HT) with different connection modes are an integral part of the shipborne hydrogen fuel cell system. To ensure the safe and reliable operation of the shipborne multi-tank cascade system this study innovatively develops 3D models of four different connection modes for the shipborne multi-tank cascade system namely Type-22 Type-211 Type-121 and Type-112. Through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation the variations in parameters of different multi-tank cascade systems during the hydrogen storage process are analyzed. The results indicate that the maximum temperature of Type-112 is 271.107K which is 2.220% 4.779% and 3.993% lower than that of Type-22 Type-211 and Type-121 respectively and thus the optimal parameters such as the initial temperature in the tank and pre-cooling temperature are derived. Type-112's maximum temperature is reduced by 14.02% and 16.66% compared to systems connected solely in series or in parallel. The study identifies the optimal structure and reasonable hydrogen storage parameters effectively reducing heat generation during the refueling process while optimizing space utilization thereby strongly ensuring the stability of hydrogen storage and opening up new avenues for addressing related hydrogen storage issues in the future.
Hydrogen Storage Technology, and Its Challenges: A Review
Mar 2025
Publication
This paper aims to present an overview of the current state of hydrogen storage methods and materials assess the potential benefits and challenges of various storage techniques and outline future research directions towards achieving effective economical safe and scalable storage solutions. Hydrogen is recognized as a clean secure and costeffective green energy carrier with zero emissions at the point of use offering significant contributions to reaching carbon neutrality goals by 2050. Hydrogen as an energy vector bridges the gap between fossil fuels which produce greenhouse gas emissions global climate change and negatively impact health and renewable energy sources which are often intermittent and lack sustainability. However widespread acceptance of hydrogen as a fuel source is hindered by storage challenges. Crucially the development of compact lightweight safe and cost-effective storage solutions is vital for realizing a hydrogen economy. Various storage methods including compressed gas liquefied hydrogen cryocompressed storage underground storage and solid-state storage (material-based) each present unique advantages and challenges. Literature suggests that compressed hydrogen storage holds promise for mobile applications. However further optimization is desired to resolve concerns such as low volumetric density safety worries and cost. Cryo-compressed hydrogen storage also is seen as optimal for storing hydrogen onboard and offers notable benefits for storage due to its combination of benefits from compressed gas and liquefied hydrogen storage by tackling issues related to slow refueling boil-off and high energy consumption. Material-based storage methods offer advantages in terms of energy densities safety and weight reduction but challenges remain in achieving optimal stability and capacities. Both physical and material-based storage approaches are being researched in parallel to meet diverse hydrogen application needs. Currently no single storage method is universally efficient robust and economical for every sector especially for transportation to use hydrogen as a fuel with each method having its own advantages and limitations. Moreover future research should focus on developing novel materials and engineering approaches in order to overcome existing limitations provide higher energy density than compressed hydrogen and cryo-compressed hydrogen storage at 70 MPa enhance costeffectiveness and accelerate the deployment of hydrogen as a clean energy vector.
Modeling the Impact of Hydrogen Embrittlement on the Fracture Toughness of Low-Carbon Steel Using a Machine Learning Approach
May 2025
Publication
This study aims to advance the understanding of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in low-carbon and low-alloy steels by developing a predictive framework for assessing fracture toughness (FT) a critical parameter for mitigating HE in hydrogen infrastructure. A machine learning (ML) model was constructed by analyzing data from relevant literature to evaluate the fracture toughness of steels exposed to hydrogen environments. Seven ML modeling techniques were initially considered with four selected for detailed evaluation based on predictive accuracy. The chosen modeling techniques were k-nearest neighbors (KNN) random forest (RF) gradient boosting (GB) and decision tree regression (DT). The selected models were further evaluated for their predictive accuracy and reliability and the best model was used to perform parametric studies to investigate the impact of relevant parameters on FT. According to the results the KNN model demonstrated reliable predictive performance supported by high R-squared values and low error metrics. Among the variables considered hydrogen pressure and yield strength emerged as the most influential with hydrogen pressure alone accounting for 32% of the variation in FT. The model revealed a distinct trend in FT behavior showing a significant decline at low hydrogen pressures (0–6.9 MPa) and a plateau at higher pressures (>8 MPa) indicating a saturation point. Alloying element contents specifically those of carbon and phosphorus also played a notable role in FT prediction. Additionally the study confirmed that low concentrations of oxygen (
Technical Feasibility Analysis of Green Energy Storage Options and Hornsea Wind Farms
Apr 2025
Publication
The global transition towards clean energy sources is becoming essential to reduce reliance on conventional fuels and mitigate carbon emissions. In the future the clean energy storage landscape green hydrogen and green ammonia (powered by renewable energy sources) are emerging as key players. This study explores the prospectives and feasibility of producing and storing offshore green hydrogen and green ammonia. The potential power output of Hornsea one and Hornsea two winds farms in the United Kingdom was calculated using real wind data. The usable electricity from the Hornsea one wind farm was 5.83 TWh/year and from the Hornsea two wind farm it was 6.44 TWh/year harnessed to three different scenarios for the production and storage of green ammonia and green hydrogen. Scenario 1 fulfil the requirement of green hydrogen storage for flexible ammonia production but consumes more energy for green hydrogen compression. Scenario 2 does not offer any hydrogen storage which is not favourable in terms of flexibility and market demand. Scenario 3 offers both a direct routed supply of produced hydrogen for green ammonia synthesis and a storage facility for green hydrogen storage. Detailed mathematical calculations and sensitivity analysis was performed based on the total energy available to find out the energy storage capacity in terms of the mass of green hydrogen and green ammonia produced. Sensitivity analysis in the case of scenario 3 was conducted to determine the optimal percentage of green hydrogen going to the storage facility. Based on the cost evaluation of three different presented scenarios the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is between USD 5.30 and 5.97/kg and the levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) is between USD 984.16 and USD 1197.11/tonne. These prices are lower compared to the current UK market. The study finds scenario 3 as the most appropriate way in terms of compression energy savings flexibility for the production and storage capacity that depends upon the supply and demand of these green fuels in the market and a feasible amount of green hydrogen storage.
The Role of Long-term Hydrogen Storage in Decarbonizing Remote Communities in Canada: An Optimization Framework with Economic, Environmental and Social Objectives
Nov 2024
Publication
Many small Canadian communities lack access to electricity grids relying instead on costly and polluting diesel generators despite the local availability of renewable energies like solar and wind. The intermittent nature of these sources limits reliable power supply; thus hydrogen is proposed as a cost-effective and ecofriendly long-term energy storage solution. However it remains uncertain whether hydrogen storage can significantly contribute to a 100% renewable energy system (100RES) given the diverse characteristics of these communities. Additionally the potential for fully renewable infrastructure to reduce costs mitigate adverse environmental impacts and enhance social impact is still unclear. A multi-period optimization model that balances economic environmental and social objectives to determine the optimal configuration of 100RESs for isolated communities is introduced and utilized to evaluate hydrogen as an energy storage solution to seasonal fluctuations. By identifying the best combinations of technologies tailored to local conditions and priorities this study offers valuable insights for policymakers supporting the transition to sustainable energy and achieving national climate goals. The results demonstrate that hydrogen could serve as an excellent longterm energy storage option to address energy shortages during the winter. Different combinations and sizes of energy generation and storage technologies are selected based on the characteristics of each community. For instance a community in the northern territories with high wind speeds low solar radiation extremely low temperatures and limited biomass resources should optimally rely on wind turbines to meet 80.7% of its total energy demand resulting in a 62.0% cost reduction and a 49.5% decrease in environmental impact compared to the existing diesel-based system. By 2050 all communities are projected to reduce energy costs per capita with northern territories achieving 33% and coastal areas achieving 55% cost reductions eventually leading to the utilization of hydrogen as the main energy storage medium.
Biogeochemical Interactions and Their Role in European Underground Hydrogen Storage
Sep 2025
Publication
Integrating renewable energy requires robust large-scale storage solutions to balance intermittent supply. Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in geological formations such as salt caverns depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs or aquifers offers a promising way to store large volumes of energy for seasonal periods. This review focuses on the biological aspects of UHS examining the biogeochemical interactions between H2 reservoir minerals and key hydrogenotrophic microorganisms such as sulfate-reducing bacteria methanogens acetogens and iron-reducing bacteria within the gas–liquid–rock–microorganism system. These microbial groups use H2 as an electron donor triggering biogeochemical reactions that can affect storage efficiency through gas loss and mineral dissolution–precipitation cycles. This review discusses their metabolic pathways and the geochemical interactions driven by microbial byproducts such as H2S CH4 acetate and Fe2+ and considers biofilm formation by microbial consortia which can further change the petrophysical reservoir properties. In addition the review maps 76 ongoing European projects focused on UHS showing 71% target salt caverns 22% depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and 7% aquifers with emphasis on potential biogeochemical interactions. It also identifies key knowledge gaps including the lack of in situ kinetic data limited field-scale monitoring of microbial activity and insufficient understanding of mineral–microbe interactions that may affect gas purity. Finally the review highlights the need to study microbial adaptation over time and the influence of mineralogy on tolerance thresholds. By analyzing these processes across different geological settings and integrating findings from European research initiatives this work evaluates the impact of microbial and geochemical factors on the safety efficiency and long-term performance of UHS.
Laboratory Evaluation of Cyclic Underground Hydrogen Storage in the Temblor Sandstone of the San Joaquin Basin, California
Jun 2025
Publication
Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) in depleted oil and gas reservoirs could provide a cost-effective solution to balance seasonal fluctuations in renewable energy generation. However data and knowledge on UHS at subsurface conditions are limited so it is difficult to estimate how effective this type of storage could be. In this study we perform high pressure experiment to measure the effectiveness of cyclic hydrogen (H2) storage in a specimen of Temblor sandstone retrieved from the San Joaquin Basin of California. Our experiment mimics reservoir pressure conditions to measure H2-brine relative permeability and fluid-rock interactions over the course of ten charging and discharging cycles. Initial gas breakthrough occurred at 15 % to 25 % H2 saturation in the specimen with 3 % NaCl brine as the resident fluid. Continuing injecting to 4 pore volumes (PV) of H2 yielded an asymptotic H2 saturation of 38 % to 41 % a level often referred to as the irreducible gas saturation based on two-phase flow. The boundary condition in this study mimics the near wellbore region which experiences bidirectional H2 flow. This bi-directional flow led to evaporative drying of the specimen resulting in 94 % H2 saturation at the end of 10th cycle. This indicates that cyclic flow and evaporative drying can lead to more efficient reservoir storage where a larger fraction of the reservoir porosity is usable to store H2. The produced gas stream consisted of H2 mixed with 8 % to 22 % H2O indicating formation dry-out by evaporation. Meanwhile produced water chemistry indicated calcite and silicate dissolution with calcite sourced from fossil fragments. This led to a loss of cementation and weakened the rock sample. Combined our results indicate dry-out compaction increased H2 saturation rock weakening and permeability loss during cyclic UHS. Overall we anticipate that the combined effects should lead to higher than anticipated UHS storage efficiency per volume of sandstone reservoir rock.
Hydrogen Storage with Gravel and Pipes in Lakes and Reservoirs
Sep 2024
Publication
Climate change is projected to have substantial economic social and environmental impacts worldwide. Currently the leading solutions for hydrogen storage are in salt caverns and depleted natural gas reservoirs. However the required geological formations are limited to certain regions. To increase alternatives for hydrogen storage this paper proposes storing hydrogen in pipes filled with gravel in lakes hydropower and pumped hydro storage reservoirs. Hydrogen is insoluble in water non-toxic and does not threaten aquatic life. Results show the levelized cost of hydrogen storage to be 0.17 USD kg−1 at 200 m depth which is competitive with other large scale hydrogen storage options. Storing hydrogen in lakes hydropower and pumped hydro storage reservoirs increases the alternatives for storing hydrogen and might support the development of a hydrogen economy in the future. The global potential for hydrogen storage in reservoirs and lakes is 3 and 12 PWh respectively. Hydrogen storage in lakes and reservoirs can support the development of a hydrogen economy in the future by providing abundant and cheap hydrogen storage.
Design and Analysis of Hydrogen Storage Tank with Different Materials by Ansys
Dec 2019
Publication
Pressure vessels are used for large commercial and industrial applications such as softening filtration and storage. It is expected that high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels will be widely used in hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Progressive failure properties the burst pressure and fatigue life should be taken into account in the design of composite pressure vessels. In this work the model and analysis of hydrogen storage vessels along with complete structural and thermal analysis. Liquid hydrogen is seen as an outstanding candidate for the fuel of high altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft. The design of lightweight and super-insulated storage tanks for cryogenic liquid hydrogen is since long identified as crucial to enable the adoption of the liquid hydrogen. The basic structural design of the airborne cryogenic liquid hydrogen tank was completed in this paper. The problem of excessive heat leakage of the traditional support structure was solved by designing and using a new insulating support structure. The thermal performance of the designed tank was evaluated. The structure of the tank was analyzed by the combination of the film container theory and finite element numerical simulation method. The structure of the adiabatic support was analyzed by using the Hertz contact theory and numerical simulation method. A simple and effective structure analysis method for a similar container structure and point-contact support structure was provided. Bases for further structural optimization design of hydrogen tank will be provided also. The analysis will be carried out with different materials like titanium nickel alloy and some coated powders like alumina Titania and zirconium oxide. The results will be compared with that.
Design, Analysis, and Testing of a Type V Composite Pressure Vessel for Hydrogen Storage
Dec 2024
Publication
Hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel produces only water when used in fuel cells making it a vital contributor to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across industries like transportation energy and manufacturing. Efficient hydrogen storage requires lightweight high-strength vessels capable of withstanding high pressures to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of clean energy for various applications. Type V composite pressure vessels (CPVs) have emerged as a preferred solution due to their superior properties thus this study aims to predict the performance of a Type V CPV by developing its numerical model and calculating numerical burst pressure (NBP). For the validation of the numerical model a Hydraulic Burst Pressure test is conducted to determine the experimental burst pressure (EBP). The comparative study between NBP and EBP shows that the numerical model provides an accurate prediction of the vessel’s performance under pressure including the identification of failure locations. These findings highlight the potential of the numerical model to streamline the development process reduce costs and accelerate the production of CPVs that are manufactured by prepreg hand layup process (PHLP) using carbon fiber/epoxy resin prepreg material.
Gas Storage in Geological Formations: A Comparative Review on Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Storage
Feb 2024
Publication
Carbon dioxide and hydrogen storage in geological formations at Gt scale are two promising strategies toward net-zero carbon emissions. To date investigations into underground hydrogen storage (UHS) remain relatively limited in comparison to the more established knowledge body of underground carbon dioxide storage (UCS). Despite their analogous physical processes can be used for accelerating the advancements in UHS technology the existing distinctions possibly may hinder direct applicability. This review therefore contributes to advancing our fundamental understanding on the key differences between UCS and UHS through multi-scale comparisons. These comparisons encompass key factors influencing underground gas storage including storage media trapping mechanisms and respective fluid properties geochemical and biochemical reactions and injection scenarios. They provide guidance for the conversion of our existing knowledge from UCS to UHS emphasizing the necessity of incorporating these factors relevant to their trapping and loss mechanisms. The article also outlines future directions to address the crucial knowledge gaps identified aiming to enhance the utilisation of geological formations for hydrogen and carbon dioxide storage.
Hydrogen Diffusion into Water and Cushion Gases - Relevance for Hydrogen Geo-storage
Dec 2024
Publication
Hydrogen (H2) has been recognized as a promising solution to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. H2 is considered a green energy carrier for energy storage transport and usage and it can be produced from renewable energy resources (such as solar hydropower and wind energy). However H2 is a highly diffusive compound compared to other natural gases raising concerns about the possibility of H2 loss in geo-storage (e.g. in underground geological formations such as depleted oil/gas reservoirs aquifers or shale formations) or H2 leak via pipelines when blending H2 with natural gas in existing pipeline systems. Thus understanding H2 diffusion in subsurface formations and pipeline systems is vital. However despite its importance only limited data is available to assess the above situations. Therefore in this study molecular dynamics simulations were used to predict the self-diffusion coefficients of H2 in water and cushion gases (CH4 and N2) at relevant geothermal conditions (i.e. 300 K–373 K and pressures up to 50 MPa). The findings showed that H2 self-diffusion in methane and nitrogen increases with increasing temperature but decreases with increasing pressure. However H2 selfdiffusion in water increases with increasing temperature but is not impacted by increasing or decreasing pres sure. The results also indicated that the rate of H2 self-diffusion in cushion gas is faster than in water about exceeding two-digit times. Furthermore the outcomes reported extended or new data on H2 self-diffusion for the binary system of H2–H2O H2–CH4 and H2–N2. This study is beneficial and contributes to assessing efficiency and safety for executing H2 transportation and underground hydrogen storage (UHS) schemes.
An Efficient Renewable Hybridization Based on Hydrogen Storage for Peak Demand Reduction: A Rule-based Energy Control and Optimisation Using Machine Learning Techniques
Dec 2022
Publication
The present study proposes and thoroughly examines a novel approach for the effective hybridization of solar and wind sources based on hydrogen storage to increase grid stability and lower peak load. The parabolic trough collector vanadium chloride thermochemical cycle hydrogen storage tank alkaline fuel cells thermal energy storage and absorption chiller make up the suggested smart system. Additionally the proposed system includes a wind turbine to power the electrolyzer unit and minimize the size of the solar system. A rule-based control technique establishes an intelligent two-way connection with energy networks to compensate for the energy expenses throughout the year. The transient system simulation (TRNSYS) tool and the engineering equation solver program are used to conduct a comprehensive techno-economic-environmental assessment of a Swedish residential building. A four-objective optimization utilizing MATLAB based on the grey wolf algorithm coupled with an artificial neural network is used to determine the best trade-off between the indicators. According to the results the primary energy saving carbon dioxide reduction rate overall cost and purchased energy are 80.6 % 219 % 14.8 $/h and 24.9 MWh at optimal conditions. From the scatter distribution it can be concluded that fuel cell voltage and collector length should be maintained at their lowest domain and the electrode area is an ineffective parameter. The suggested renewable-driven smart system can provide for the building’s needs for 70 % of the year and sell excess production to the local energy network making it a feasible alternative. Solar energy is far less effective in storing hydrogen over the winter than wind energy demonstrating the benefits of combining renewable energy sources to fulfill demand. By lowering CO2 emissions by 61758 kg it is predicted that the recommended smart renewable system might save 7719 $ in environmental costs equivalent to 6.9 ha of new reforestation.
Underground Hydrogen Storage in Sandstone Reservoirs: Effects of Geochemical Reactivity of Hydrogen on Reservoir Performance
Jan 2025
Publication
Underground hydrogen storage in porous rocks is a promising method to stabilize renewable energy fluctuations. However data on the geochemical reactivity of hydrogen with reservoir rocks and its potential effects on reservoir performance are limited. This study investigates the geochemical reactivity of hydrogen with Bunt sandstein reservoir sandstones from northern Germany collected at a depth of about 2.5 km. Experiments were performed at 100 ◦C and 150 bar hydrogen partial pressure for four weeks examining scenarios with dry hydrogen synthetic saline fluid with hydrogen synthetic saline fluid with helium (as a control) and an oxidation environment (air). We measured permeability porosity magnetic susceptibility and fluid element concentration before and after the experiments. Results showed no significant mineral changes attributed to hydrogen. Mag netic susceptibility indicated no formation of magnetic minerals such as magnetite and pyrrhotite. Minor var iations in permeability and porosity were attributed to anhydrite dissolution from fluid chemistry nonequilibrium. Overall our findings suggest hydrogen interactions with Buntsandstein sandstone (no pyrite content) at temperatures up to 100 ◦C do not risk hydrogen loss or reservoir performance degradation.
Evaluating the Hydrogen Storage Potential of Shut Down Oil and Gas Fields Along the Norwegian Continental Shelf
Apr 2023
Publication
The underground hydrogen storage (UHS) capacities of shut down oil and gas (O&G) fields along the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) are evaluated based on the publicly available geological and hydrocarbon production data. Thermodynamic equilibrium and geochemical models are used to describe contamination of hydrogen loss of hydrogen and changes in the mineralogy. The contamination spectrum of black oil fields and retrograde gas fields are remarkably similar. Geochemical models suggest limited reactive mineral phases and meter-scale hydrogen diffusion into the caprock. However geochemical reactions between residual oil reservoir brine host rock and hydrogen are not yet studied in detail. For 23 shut down O&G fields a theoretical maximum UHS capacity of ca. 642 TWh is estimated. We conclude with Frigg Nordost Frigg and Odin as the best-suited shut down fields for UHS having a maximum UHS capacity of ca. 414 TWh. The estimates require verification by site-specific dynamic reservoir models.
Wind–Photovoltaic–Electrolyzer-Underground Hydrogen Storage System for Cost-Effective Seasonal Energy Storage
Nov 2024
Publication
Photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy generation result in low greenhouse gas footprints and can supply electricity to the grid or generate hydrogen for various applications including seasonal energy storage. Designing integrated wind–PV–electrolyzer underground hydrogen storage (UHS) projects is complex due to the interactions between components. Additionally the capacities of PV and wind relative to the electrolyzer capacity and fluctuating electricity prices must be considered in the project design. To address these challenges process modelling was applied using cost components and parameters from a project in Austria. The hydrogen storage part was derived from an Austrian hydrocarbon gas field considered for UHS. The results highlight the impact of the renewable energy source (RES) sizing relative to the electrolyzer capacity the influence of different wind-to-PV ratios and the benefits of selling electricity and hydrogen. For the case study the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is EUR 6.26/kg for a RES-to-electrolyzer capacity ratio of 0.88. Oversizing reduces the LCOH to 2.61 €/kg when including electricity sales revenues or EUR 4.40/kg when excluding them. Introducing annually fluctuating electricity prices linked to RES generation results in an optimal RES-to-electrolyzer capacity ratio. The RES-to-electrolyzer capacity can be dynamically adjusted in response to market developments. UHS provides seasonal energy storage in areas with mismatches between RES production and consumption. The main cost components are compression gas conditioning wells and cushion gas. For the Austrian project the levelized cost of underground hydrogen storage (LCHS) is 0.80 €/kg with facilities contributing EUR 0.33/kg wells EUR 0.09/kg cushion gas EUR 0.23/kg and OPEX EUR 0.16/kg. Overall the analysis demonstrates the feasibility of integrated RES–hydrogen generation-seasonal energy storage projects in regions like Austria with systems that can be dynamically adjusted to market conditions.
The Impact of Impurity Gases on the Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior of Pipeline Steel in High-Pressure H2 Environments
May 2024
Publication
The use of hydrogen-blended natural gas presents an efficacious pathway toward the rapid large-scale implementation of hydrogen energy with pipeline transportation being the principal method of conveyance. However pipeline materials are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement in high-pressure hydrogen environments. Natural gas contains various impurity gases that can either exacerbate or mitigate sensitivity to hydrogen embrittlement. In this study we analyzed the mechanisms through which multiple impurity gases could affect the hydrogen embrittlement behavior of pipeline steel. We examined the effects of O2 and CO2 on the hydrogen embrittlement behavior of L360 pipeline steel through a series of fatigue crack growth tests conducted in various environments. We analyzed the fracture surfaces and assessed the fracture mechanisms involved. We discovered that CO2 promoted the hydrogen embrittlement of the material whereas O2 inhibited it. O2 mitigated the enhancing effect of CO2 when both gases were mixed with hydrogen. As the fatigue crack growth rate increased the influence of impurity gases on the hydrogen embrittlement of the material diminished.
A Thermodynamic Model for Cryogenic Liquid Hydrogen Fuel Tanks
Apr 2024
Publication
Hydrogen is used as a fuel in various fields such as aviation space and automobiles due to its high specific energy. Hydrogen can be stored as a compressed gas at high pressure and as a liquid at cryogenic temperatures. In order to keep liquid hydrogen at a cryogenic temperature the tanks for storing liquid hydrogen are required to have insulation to prevent heat leakage. When liquid hydrogen is vaporized by heat inflow a large pressure is generated inside the tank. Therefore a technology capable of predicting the tank pressure is required for cryogenic liquid hydrogen tanks. In this study a thermodynamic model was developed to predict the maximum internal pressure and pressure behavior of cryogenic liquid hydrogen fuel tanks. The developed model considers the heat inflow of the tank due to heat transfer the phase change from liquid to gas hydrogen and the fuel consumption rate. To verify the accuracy of the proposed model it was compared with the analyses and experimental results in the referenced literature and the model presented good results. A cryogenic liquid hydrogen fuel tank was simulated using the proposed model and it was confirmed that the storage time along with conditions such as the fuel filling ratio of liquid hydrogen and the fuel consumption rate should be considered when designing the fuel tanks. Finally it was confirmed that the proposed thermodynamic model can be used to sufficiently predict the internal pressure and the pressure behavior of cryogenic liquid hydrogen fuel tanks.
Solubility of Water in Hydrogen at High Pressures: A Molecular Simulation Study
Aug 2019
Publication
Hydrogen is one of the most popular alternatives for energy storage. Because of its low volumetric energy density hydrogen should be compressed for practical storage and transportation purposes. Recently electrochemical hydrogen compressors (EHCs) have been developed that are capable of compressing hydrogen up to P = 1000 bar and have the potential of reducing compression costs to 3 kWh/kg. As EHC compressed hydrogen is saturated with water the maximum water content in gaseous hydrogen should meet the fuel requirements issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) when refuelling fuel cell electric vehicles. The ISO 14687−2:2012 standard has limited the water concentration in hydrogen gas to 5 μmol water per mol hydrogen fuel mixture. Knowledge on the vapor liquid equilibrium of H2O−H2 mixtures is crucial for designing a method to remove H2O from compressed H2. To the best of our knowledge the only experimental high pressure data (P > 300 bar) for the H2O−H2 phase coexistence is from 1927 [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1927 49 65−78]. In this paper we have used molecular simulation and thermodynamic modeling to study the phase coexistence of the H2O−H2 system for temperatures between T = 283 K and T = 423 K and pressures between P = 10 bar and P = 1000 bar. It is shown that the Peng-Robinson equation of state and the Soave Redlich-Kwong equation of state with van der Waals mixing rules fail to accurately predict the equilibrium coexistence compositions of the liquid and gas phase with or without fitted binary interaction parameters. We have shown that the solubility of water in compressed hydrogen is adequately predicted using force-field-based molecular simulations. The modeling of phase coexistence of H2O−H2 mixtures will be improved by using polarizable models for water. In the Supporting Information we present a detailed overview of available experimental vapor−liquid equilibrium and solubility data for the H2O−H2 system at high pressures.
Safe Pipelines for Hydrogen Transport
Jun 2024
Publication
The hydrogen compatibility of two X65 pipeline steels for transport of hydrogen gas is investigated through microstructural characterization hydrogen permeation measurements and fracture mechanical testing. The investigated materials are a quenched and tempered pipeline steel with a fine-grained homogeneously distributed ferrite-bainite microstructure and hot rolled pipeline steel with a ferrite-pearlite banded microstructure. All tests are performed both under electrochemical and gaseous hydrogen charging conditions. A correlation between electrochemical hydrogen charging and gaseous charging is determined. The results point to inherent differences in the interaction between hydrogen and the two material microstructures. Further research is needed to unveil the influence of material microstructure on hydrogen embrittlement.
Lifecycle Management of Hydrogen Pipelines: Design, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation Strategies for Canada’s Clean Energy Transition
Jan 2025
Publication
This paper examines the crucial elements of pipeline-based hydrogen transportation highlighting the particular difficulties and technical developments required to guarantee the sustainable effective and safe supply of hydrogen. This study lists the essential phases of hydrogen pipeline management from design to repair as the relevance of hydrogen infrastructure in the worldwide energy transition continues to rise. It discusses the upkeep monitoring operation and rehabilitation procedures for aged pipelines with an emphasis on the cutting-edge techniques and technology used to mitigate the dangers related to hydrogen’s unique features such as leakage and embrittlement. Together with highlighting the legislative and regulatory frameworks that enable the infrastructure this paper also discusses the material economic and environmental difficulties related to hydrogen pipelines. Lastly it emphasizes how crucial it is to fund research create cutting-edge materials and implement sophisticated monitoring systems to guarantee the long-term dependability and safety of hydrogen pipelines. These initiatives will be crucial in allowing hydrogen’s contribution to the future of renewable energy together with international collaboration on regulatory standards.
Numerical Estimation of the Structural Integrity in an Existing Pipeline Network for the Transportation of Hydrogen Mixture in the Future
Jan 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is gaining attention due to its potential to address key challenges in the sectors of energy transportation and industry since it is a much cleaner energy source when compared to fossil fuels. The transportation of hydrogen from the point of its production to the point of use can be performed by road rail sea pipeline networks or a combination of the abovementioned. Being in the preliminary stage of hydrogen use the utilization of the already existing natural gas pipeline networks for hydrogen mixtures transportation has been suggested as an efficient means of expanding hydrogen infrastructure. Yet exploring this alternative major challenges such as the pre-existence of cracks in the pipelines and the effect of hydrogen embrittlement on the material of the pipelines exist. In this paper the macroscopic numerical modeling of pipeline segments with the use of the finite element method is performed. In more details the structural integrity of intact and damaged pipeline segments of different geometry and mechanical properties was estimated. The effect of the pipeline geometry and material has been investigated in terms of stress contours with and without the influence of hydrogen. The results suggest that the structural integrity of the pipeline segments is more compromised by pre-existing longitudinal cracks which might lead to an increase in the maximum value of equivalent Von Mises stress by up to four times depending on their length-tothickness ratio. This effect becomes more pronounced with the existence of hydrogen in the pipeline network.
Comparative Analysis of Hydrogen vs. Methane Pipeline Transport Systems with Integrated Methane Pyrolysis for Low-carbon Hydrogen Supply
Jan 2025
Publication
Establishing a climate-neutral energy system is among the most urgent challenges facing humanity with the natural gas network forming a critical component of energy and commodity infrastructure. The hydrogen economy based on climate-neutral hydrogen which serves as both energy source and raw-material for numerous sectors offers a promising pathway for significant reduction in CO2 emissions. However the lack of an extensive hydrogen infrastructure underscores the need for transitional solutions. Given this infrastructure gap and the urgency to establish a reliable and less emission-intensive commodity network methane pyrolysis (MP) emerges as a promising technology for supporting the transition to a climate-neutral energy system. Within this context this study evaluates the intricacies of long-distance pipeline transport of hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) focusing on the placement of MP units. The primary goal is to provide “turquoise hydrogen” produced from natural gas via MP along with solid carbon from distant locations to industrial consumers. Two configurations are assessed: Configuration I represents a centralized supply concept transporting molecular hydrogen while Configuration II delivers methane to consumers for on-site hydrogen production. The reference system covers a transport distance of 500 km extending to 4000 km with recompression stations every 125 km. The transport capacity of the hydrogen pipeline is set at 13 GW with the methane mass flow set to match the equivalent hydrogen output chemically bound in methane. A parameter study examines power requirements and global warming impact (GWI) over various transport distances. For distances between 2000 and 4000 km Configuration II requires less power (Δ = 229.4–443.0 MW) and results in GWI savings of 0.25 to 0.37 kgCO2-eq.kgH2−1 owing primarily to the lower specific energy consumption for methane transport compared to hydrogen. The study concludes that the electricity mix of the exporting and importing regions significantly affects the GWI of hydrogen supply with the MP unit contributing a substantial part (6.92 kgCO2-eq.kgH2−1) to the total GWI. The approach of Configuration I is favorable for regions with a low-GWI electricity supply while Configuration II is better suited for regions where the electricity mixes of both the exporting and importing regions are similar.
Review on Onshore and Offshore Large-scale Seasonal Hydrogen Storage for Electricity Generation: Focusing on Improving Compression, Storage, and Roundtrip Efficiency
Jun 2024
Publication
This article presents a comprehensive review of the current landscape and prospects of large-scale hydrogen storage technologies with a focus on both onshore and offshore applications and flexibility. Highlighting the evolving technological advancements it explores storage and compression techniques identifying potential research directions and avenues for innovation. Underwater hydrogen storage and hybrid metal hydride com pressed gas tanks have been identified for offshore buffer storage as well as exploration of using metal hydride slurries to transport hydrogen to/from offshore wind farms coupled with low pressure high flexibility elec trolyser banks. Additionally it explores the role of metal hydride hydrogen compressors and the integration of oxyfuel processes to enhance roundtrip efficiency. With insights into cost-effectiveness environmental and technology considerations and geographical factors this review offers insights for policymakers researchers and industry stakeholders aiming to advance the deployment of large-scale hydrogen storage systems in the transition towards sustainable energy.
Sustainable Hydrogen Generation and Storage - A Review
Aug 2023
Publication
In 21st century the energy demand has grown incredibly due to globalization human population explosion and growing megacities. This energy demand is being mostly fulfilled by fossil-based sources which are non-renewable and a major cause of global warming. Energy from these fossil-based sources is cheaper however challenges exist in terms of climate change. This makes renewable energy sources more promising and viable for the future. Hydrogen is a promising renewable energy carrier for fulfilling the increasing energy demand due to its high energy density non-toxic and environment friendly characteristics. It is a non-toxic energy carrier as combustion of hydrogen produces water as the byproduct whereas other conventional fuels produce harmful gases and carcinogens. Because of its lighter weight hydrogen leaks are also easily dispersed in the atmosphere. Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements on Earth yet it is not readily available in nature like other fossil fuels. Hence it is a secondary energy source and hydrogen needs to be produced from water or biomass-based feedstock for it to be considered renewable and sustainable. This paper reviews the renewable hydrogen generation pathways such as water splitting thermochemical conversion of biomass and biological conversion technologies. Purification and storage technologies of hydrogen is also discussed. The paper also discusses the hydrogen economy and future prospects from an Indian context. Hydrogen purification is necessary because of high purity requirements in particular applications like space fuel cells etc. Various applications of hydrogen are also addressed and a cost comparison of various hydrogen generation technologies is also analyzed. In conclusion this study can assist researchers in getting a better grasp of various renewable hydrogen generation pathways it's purification and storage technologies along with applications of hydrogen in understanding the hydrogen economy and its future prospect.
Evaluation and Outlook for Australian Renewable Energy Export via Circular Liquid Hydrogen Carriers
Oct 2023
Publication
To combat global temperature rise we need affordable clean and renewable energy that does not add carbon to the atmosphere. Hydrogen is a promising option because it can be used as a carbon-free energy source. However storing and transporting pure hydrogen in liquid or gaseous forms is challenging. To overcome the limitations associated with conventional compressed and liquefied hydrogen or physio-chemical adsorbents for bulk storage and transport hydrogen can be attached to other molecules known as hydrogen carriers. Circular carriers which involve the production of CO2 or nitrogen during the hydrogen recovery process include substances such as methanol ammonia or synthetic natural gas. These carriers possess higher gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen densities (i.e. 12.5 wt% and 11.88 MJ/L for methanol) than cyclic carriers (i.e. 6.1 wt% and 5.66 MJ/L for methylcyclohexane (MCH)) which produce cyclic organic chemicals during dehydrogenation. This makes circular carriers particularly appealing for the Australian energy export market. Furthermore the production-decomposition cycle of circular carriers can be made carbon-neutral if they are derived from renewable H2 sources and combined with atmospheric or biomass-based CO2 or nitrogen. The key parameters are investigated in this study focusing on circular hydrogen carriers relevant to Australia. The parameters are ranked from 0 (worst) to 10 (best) depending on the bandwidth of the parameter in this review. Methanol shows great potential as a cost-effective solution for long-distance transport of renewable energy being a liquid at standard conditions with a boiling point of 64.7 °C. Methane is also an important hydrogen carrier due to the availability of natural gas infrastructure and its role as a significant export product for Australia.
Exploring European Hydrogen Demand Variations under Tactical Uncertainty with Season Hydrogen Storage
Aug 2025
Publication
Achieving a net-zero energy system in Europe by 2050 will likely require large-scale deployment of hydrogen and seasonal energy storage to manage variability in renewable supply and demand. This study addresses two key objectives: (1) to develop a modeling framework that integrates seasonal storage into a stochastic multihorizon capacity expansion model explicitly capturing tactical uncertainty across timescales; and (2) to assess the impact of seasonal hydrogen storage on long-term investment decisions in European power and hydrogen infrastructure under three hydrogen demand scenarios. To this end the multi-horizon stochastic programming model EMPIRE is extended with tactical stages within each investment period enabling operational decisions to be modeled as a multi-stage stochastic program. This approach captures short-term uncertainty while preserving long-term investment foresight. Results show that seasonal hydrogen storage considerably enhances system flexibility displacing the need for up to 600 TWh/yr of dispatchable generation in Europe after 2040 and sizing down cross-border hydrogen transmission capacities by up to 12%. Storage investments increase by factors of 5–14 which increases the investments in variable renewables and improve utilization particularly solar. Scenarios with seasonal storage also show up to 6% lower total system costs and more balanced infrastructure deployment across regions. These findings underline the importance of modeling temporal uncertainty and seasonal dynamics in long-term energy system planning.
Geomechanical and Geochemical Considerations for Hydrogen Storage in Shale and Tight Reservoirs
Aug 2025
Publication
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in shale and tight reservoirs offers a promising solution for large-scale energy storage playing a critical role in the transition to a hydrogenbased economy. However the successful deployment of UHS in these low-permeability formations depends on a thorough understanding of the geomechanical and geochemical factors that affect storage integrity injectivity and long-term stability. This review critically examines the geomechanical aspects including stress distribution rock deformation fracture propagation and caprock integrity which govern hydrogen containment under subsurface conditions. Additionally it explores key geochemical challenges such as hydrogen-induced mineral alterations adsorption effects microbial activity and potential reactivity with formation fluids to evaluate their impact on storage feasibility. A comprehensive analysis of experimental studies numerical modeling approaches and field applications is presented to identify knowledge gaps and future research directions.
A Review of Hydrogen Storage and Transportation: Progresses and Challenges
Aug 2024
Publication
This review aims to summarize the recent advancements and prevailing challenges within the realm of hydrogen storage and transportation thereby providing guidance and impetus for future research and practical applications in this domain. Through a systematic selection and analysis of the latest literature this study highlights the strengths limitations and technological progress of various hydrogen storage methods including compressed gaseous hydrogen cryogenic liquid hydrogen organic liquid hydrogen and solid material hydrogen storage as well as the feasibility efficiency and infrastructure requirements of different transportation modes such as pipeline road and seaborne transportation. The findings reveal that challenges such as low storage density high costs and inadequate infrastructure persist despite progress in high-pressure storage and cryogenic liquefaction. This review also underscores the potential of emerging technologies and innovative concepts including metal–organic frameworks nanomaterials and underground storage along with the potential synergies with renewable energy integration and hydrogen production facilities. In conclusion interdisciplinary collaboration policy support and ongoing research are essential in harnessing hydrogen’s full potential as a clean energy carrier. This review concludes that research in hydrogen storage and transportation is vital to global energy transformation and climate change mitigation.
Mechanical Testing Methods for Assessing Hydrogen Embrittlement in Pipeline Steels: A Review
Oct 2025
Publication
As the transport of gaseous hydrogen and its use as a low carbon-footprint energy vector become increasingly likely scenarios both the scientific literature and technical standards addressing the compatibility of pipeline steels with high-pressure hydrogen environments are rapidly expanding. This work presents a detailed review of the most relevant hydrogen embrittlement testing methodologies proposed in standards and the academic literature. The focus is placed on testing approaches that support design-oriented assessments rather than simple alloy qualification for hydrogen service. Particular attention is given to tensile tests (conducted on smooth and notched specimens) as well as to J-integral and fatigue tests performed following the fracture mechanics’ approach. The influences of hydrogen partial pressure and deformation rate are critically examined as these parameters are essential for ensuring meaningful comparisons across different studies.
Prioritization of the Critical Factors of Hydrogen Transportation in Canada Using the Intuitionistic Fuzzy AHP Method
Jun 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is a potential source of imminent clean energy in the future with its transportation playing a crucial role in allowing large-scale deployment. The challenge lies in selecting an effective sustainable and scalable transportation alternative. This study develops a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework based on the intuitionistic fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (IF-AHP) to evaluate land-based hydrogen transportation alternatives across Canada. The framework includes uncertainty and decision-maker hesitation through the application of triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TIFNs). Seven factors their subsequent thirty-three subfactors and three alternatives to hydrogen transportation were identified through a literature review. Pairwise comparison was aggregated among factors subfactors and alternatives from three decision makers using an intuitionistic fuzzy weighted average and priority weights were computed using entropy-based weight. The results show that safety and economic efficiency emerged as the most influential factors in the evaluation of hydrogen transportation alternatives followed by environmental impact security and social impact and public health in ascending order. Among the alternatives tube truck transport obtained the highest overall weight (0.3551) followed by pipelines (0.3272) and rail lines (0.3251). The findings suggest that the tube ruck is currently the most feasible transport option for land-based hydrogen distribution that aims to provide a transition of Canada’s energy mix.
A Multi-Stage Resilience Enhancement Method for Distribution Networks Employing Transportation and Hydrogen Energy Systems
Sep 2025
Publication
The resilience and sustainable development of modern power distribution systems faces escalating challenges due to increasing renewable integration and extreme events. Traditional single-system approaches often overlook the spatiotemporal coordination of cross-domain restoration resources. In this paper we propose a multi-stage resilience enhancement method that employs transportation and hydrogen energy systems. This approach coordinates the pre-event preventive allocation and multi-stage collaborative scheduling of diverse restoration resources including remote-controlled switches (RCSs) mobile hydrogen emergency resources (MHERs) and hydrogen production and refueling stations (HPRSs). The proposed framework supports cross-stage dynamic optimization scheduling enabling the development of adaptive resource dispatch strategies tailored to the characteristics of different stages including prevention fault isolation and service restoration. The model is applicable to complex scenarios involving dynamically changing network topologies and is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem. Case studies based on the IEEE 33-bus system show that the proposed method can restore a distribution system’s resilience to approximately 87% of its normal level following extreme events.
Altering Carbonate Wettability for Hydrogen Storage: The Role of Surfactant and CO2 Floods
Oct 2025
Publication
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in depleted oil and gas fields is pivotal for balancing large-scale renewable-energy systems yet the wettability of reservoir rocks in contact with hydrogen after decades of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) operations remains poorly quantified. This work experimentally investigates how two common EOR legacies cationic surfactant (city-trimethyl-ammonium bromide CTAB) and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC–CO2) flooding alter rock–water–Hydrogen (H2) wettability in carbonate formations. Contact angles were measured on dolomite and limestone rock slabs at 30–75 ◦C and 3.4–17.2 MPa using a high-pressure captive-bubble cell. Crude-oil aging shifted clean dolomite from strongly water-wet (θ ~ 28–29◦) to intermediate-wet (θ ≈ 84◦). Subsequent immersion in dilute CTAB solutions (0.5–2 wt %) fully reversed this effect restoring or surpassing the original water-wetness (θ ≈ 21–28◦). Limestone samples exposed to SC-CO2 at 60–80 ◦C became more hydrophilic (θ ≈ 18–30◦) relative to untreated controls; moderate carbonate dissolution (≤6 × 103 ppm Ca2+) produced the most significant improvement in water-wetness whereas severe dissolution yielded diminishing returns. These findings show that many mature reservoirs are already water-wet (post-CO2) or can be easily re-wetted (via residual CTAB). Across all scenarios sample wettability showed little sensitivity to pressure but higher temperature consistently promoted stronger water-wetness. Future work should include dynamic core-flooding experiments with realistic reservoir.
Evaluating the Potential for Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) in Lithuania: A Review of Geological Viability and Storage Integrity
Feb 2025
Publication
The aim of this study is to review and identify H2 storage suitability in geological reservoirs of the Republic of Lithuania. Notably Lithuania can store clean H2 effectively and competitively because of its wealth of resources and well-established infrastructure. The storage viability in Lithuanian geological contexts is highlighted in this study. In addition when it comes to injectivity and storage capacity salt caverns and saline aquifers present less of a challenge than other kinds of storage medium. Lithuania possesses sizable subterranean reservoirs (Cambrian rocks) that can be utilized to store H2. For preliminary assessment the cyclic H2 injection and production simulation is performed. A 10-year simulation of hydrogen injection and recovery in the Syderiai saline aquifer demonstrated the feasibility of UHS though efficiency was reduced by nearly 50% when using a single well for both injection and production. The study suggests using separate wells to improve efficiency. However to guarantee economic injectivity and containment security a detailed assessment of the geological structures is required specifically at the pore scale level. The volumetric approach estimated a combined storage capacity of approximately 898.5 Gg H2 (~11 TWh) for the Syderiai and Vaskai saline aquifers significantly exceeding previous estimates. The findings underscore the importance of detailed geological data and further research on hydrogen-specific factors to optimize UHS in Lithuania. Addressing technical geological and environmental challenges through multidisciplinary research is essential for advancing UHS implementation and supporting Lithuania’s transition to a sustainable energy system. UHS makes it possible to maximize the use of clean energy reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable and resilient energy system. Hence intensive research and advancements are needed to optimize H2 energy for broader applications in Lithuania.
Development of an Experimental Setup for Testing X52 Steel SENT Specimens in Electrolytic Hydrogen to Explore Repurposing Potential of Pipelines
Apr 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is considered a key alternative to fossil fuels in the broader context of ecological transition. Repurposing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen transport is one of the challenges of this approach. However hydrogen can diffuse into metallic lattices leading to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). For this reason typically ductile materials can experience unexpected brittle fractures and it is therefore necessary to assess the HE propensity of the current pipeline network to ensure its fitness for hydrogen transport. This study examines the relationship between the microstructure of the circumferential weld joint in X52 pipeline steel and hydrogen concentration introduced electrolytically. Base material heat affected zone and fused zone were subjected to 1800 3600 7200 and 14400 s of continuous charging with a current density J = − 10 mA/cm2 in an acid solution. Results showed that the fusion zone absorbed the most hydrogen across all charging times while the base material absorbed more hydrogen than the heat-affected zone due to the presence of non-metallic inclusions. Fracture toughness was assessed using single edge notch tension specimens (SENT) in air and electrolytic hydrogen. Results indicate that the base material is particularly vulnerable to hydrogen environments exhibiting the greatest reduction in toughness when exposed to hydrogen compared to air.
Hydrogen Storage Potential in Underground Coal Gasification Cavities: A MD Simulation of Hydrogen Adsorption and Desorption Behavior in Coal Nanopores
May 2025
Publication
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in geological formations presents a viable option for long-term large-scale H2 storage. A physical coal model was constructed based on experimental tests and a MD simulation was used to investigate the potential of UHS in underground coal gasification (UCG) cavities. We investigated H2 behavior under various conditions including temperatures ranging from 278.15 to 348.15 K pressures in the range of 5–20 MPa pore sizes ranging from 1 to 20 nm and varying water content. We also examined the competitive adsorption dynamics of H2 in the presence of CH4 and CO2 . The findings indicate that the optimal UHS conditions for pure H2 involve low temperatures and high pressures. We found that coal nanopores larger than 7.5 nm optimize H2 diffusion. Additionally higher water content creates barriers to hydrogen diffusion due to water molecule clusters on coal surfaces. The preferential adsorption of CO2 and CH4 over H2 reduces H2 -coal interactions. This work provides a significant understanding of the microscopic behaviors of hydrogen in coal nanopores at UCG cavity boundaries under various environmental factors. It also confirms the feasibility of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in UCG cavities.
The Link Between Microstructural Heterogeneity and Hydrogen Redistribution
Jul 2025
Publication
Green hydrogen is likely to play a major role in decarbonising the aviation industry. It is crucial to understand the effects of microstructure on hydrogen redistribution which may be implicated in the embrittlement of candidate fuel system metals. We have developed a multiscale finite element modelling framework that integrates micromechanical and hydrogen transport models such that the dominant microstructural effects can be efficiently accounted for at millimetre length scales. Our results show that microstructure has a significant effect on hydrogen localisation in elastically anisotropic materials which exhibit an interesting interplay between microstructure and millimetre-scale hydrogen redistribution at various loading rates. Considering 316L stainless steel and nickel a direct comparison of model predictions against experimental hydrogen embrittlement data reveals that the reported sensitivity to loading rate may be strongly linked with rate-dependent grain scale diffusion. These findings highlight the need to incorporate microstructural characteristics in hydrogen embrittlement models.
Modeling and Simulation of Coupled Biochemical and Two-phase Compositional Flow in Underground Hydrogen Storage
Aug 2025
Publication
Integrating microbial activity into underground hydrogen storage models is crucial for simulating longterm reservoir behavior. In this work we present a coupled framework that incorporates bio-geochemical reactions and compositional flow models within the Matlab Reservoir Simulation Toolbox (MRST). Microbial growth and decay are modeled using a double Monod formulation with populations influenced by hydrogen and carbon dioxide availability. First a refined Equation of State (EoS) is employed to accurately capture hydrogen dissolution thereby improving phase behavior and modeling of microbial activity. The model is then discretized using a cell-centered finite-volume method with implicit Euler time discretization. A fully coupled fully implicit strategy is considered. Our implementation builds upon MRST’s compositional module by incorporating the Søreide–Whitson EoS microbial reaction kinetics and specific effects such as bio-clogging and molecular diffusion. Through a series of 1D 2D and 3D simulations we analyze the effects of microbialinduced bio-geochemical transformations on underground hydrogen storage in porous media.These results highlight that accounting for bio-geochemical effects can substantially impact hydrogen loss purity and overall storage performance.
Hydrogen Storage Potential of Unlined Granite Rock Caverns: Experimental and Numerical Investigations on Geochemical Interactions
Jun 2025
Publication
Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) offers a promising solution for large-scale energy storage yet suitable geological formations are often scarce. Unlined rock caverns (URCs) constructed in crystalline rocks like granite present a novel alternative particularly in regions where salt caverns or porous media are unsuitable. Despite their potential URCs remain largely unexplored for hydrogen storage. This study addresses this gap by providing one of the first comprehensive investigations into the geochemical interactions between hydrogen and granite host rock using a combined experimental and numerical approach. Granite powder samples were exposed to hydrogen and inert gas (N₂) in brine at room temperature and 5 MPa pressure for 14 weeks. Results showed minimal reactivity of silicate minerals with hydrogen indicated by negligible differences in elemental concentrations between H₂ and N₂ atmospheres. A validated geochemical model demonstrated that existing thermodynamic databases can accurately predict silicate‑hydrogen interactions. Additionally a kinetic batch model was developed to simulate long-term hydrogen storage under commercial URC conditions at Haje. The model predicts a modest 0.65 % increase in mineral volume over 100 years due to mineral precipitation which decreases net porosity and potentially enhances hydrogen containment by limiting leakage pathways. These findings support the feasibility of granite URCs for UHS providing a stable long-term storage option in regions lacking traditional geological formations. By filling a critical knowledge gap this study advances scalable hydrogen storage solutions contributing to the development of resilient renewable energy infrastructure.
A Cost-Optimizing Analysis of Energy Storage Technologies and Transmission Lines for Decarbonizing the UK Power System by 2035
Mar 2025
Publication
The UK net zero strategy aims to fully decarbonize the power system by 2035 anticipating a 40–60% increase in demand due to the growing electrification of the transport and heating sectors over the next thirteen years. This paper provides a detailed technical and economic analysis of the role of energy storage technologies and transmission lines in balancing the power system amidst large shares of intermittent renewable energy generation. The analysis is conducted using the cost-optimizing energy system modelling framework REMix developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The obtained results of multiple optimization scenarios indicate that achieving the lowest system cost with a 73% share of electricity generated by renewable energy sources is feasible only if planning rules in England and Wales are flexible enough to allow the construction of 53 GW of onshore wind capacity. This flexibility would enable the UK to become a net electricity exporter assuming an electricity trading market with neighbouring countries. Depending on the scenario 2.4–11.8 TWh of energy storage supplies an average of 11% of the electricity feed-in with underground hydrogen storage representing more than 80% of that total capacity. In terms of storage converter capacity the optimal mix ranges from 32 to 34 GW of lithium-ion batteries 13 to 22 GW of adiabatic compressed air energy storage 4 to 24 GW of underground hydrogen storage and 6 GW of pumped hydro. Decarbonizing the UK power system by 2035 is estimated to cost $37–56 billion USD with energy storage accounting for 38% of the total system cost. Transmission lines supply 10–17% of the total electricity feed-in demonstrating that when coupled with energy storage it is possible to reduce the installed capacity of conventional power plants by increasing the utilization of remote renewable generation assets and avoiding curtailment during peak generation times.
A Multi-objective Decision-making Framework for Renewable Energy Transportation
Aug 2025
Publication
The mismatch in renewable energy generation potential levelized cost and demand across different geographies highlight the potential of a future global green energy economy through the trade of green fuels. This potential and need call for modeling frameworks to make informed decisions on energy investments operations and regulations. In this work we present a multi-objective optimization framework for modeling and optimizing energy transmission strategies considering different generation locations transportation modes and often conflicting objectives of cost environmental impact and transportation risk. An illustrative case study on supplying renewable energy to Germany demonstrates the utility of the framework across diverse options and trade-offs. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the optimal energy carrier and transmission strategy depend on distance demand and existing infrastructure that can be re-purposed. The framework is adaptable across geographies and scales to offer actionable insights to guide investment operational and regulatory decisions in renewable energy and hydrogen supply chains.
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