Developments in Underground Hydrogen Storage Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

As global efforts toward decarbonisation intensify, hydrogen is increasingly recognised as a critical clean energy carrier. To unlock its full potential, robust, large-scale, and long-duration storage solutions are essential to complement intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) presents a viable solution, utilising geological formations—such as salt caverns, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, and aquifers—for secure and scalable hydrogen storage.

This proposal examines recent advancements in UHS, with a focus on the following:

• Site characterisation and geomechanical stability.
• Hydrogen–rock and caprock interactions.
• Sealing integrity and leakage mitigation.
• Monitoring technologies and regulatory frameworks.
• Insights from natural gas and CO₂ storage analogues.
• Global case studies from operational and planned UHS projects.

The complex physicochemical behaviour of hydrogen and variability in geological media introduce challenges such as leakage risks, microbial activity, and sensitivity to pressure and temperature. Emerging modelling tools, monitoring systems, and pilot initiatives are addressing these issues and demonstrating the feasibility of UHS.

The strategic importance of UHS lies in its potential to enhance energy security, grid resilience, and cost-effective decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors. Countries with abundant geological resources and strong clean energy commitments are well-positioned to lead and benefit from these innovations.

This research aims to deliver a comprehensive assessment of current capabilities and future directions for UHS, supporting its integration into national and global clean energy strategies.

Dr. Nilesh Kumar Jha
Guest Editor

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