Interactions and Impacts on the Efficiency of Underground Hydrogen Storage in Saline Aquifers

Abstract

This study, part of the H2GeoStore R&D project, investigates underground hydrogen storage in saline aquifers as a solution for large-scale, long-term energy storage to support renewable energy systems. Using reservoir simulations of cyclic hydrogen injection and withdrawal under various conditions and reservoir heterogeneities, the research evaluates performance metrics like injectivity, productivity, and storage efficiency over a 10-year period. Preliminary findings highlight the significant influence of geological heterogeneity and the benefits of cushion gas. Ongoing work explores hydrogen’s physical interactions in porous media and future efforts will assess geochemical and geomechanical effects on caprock integrity.