Towards a Safe and Large-scale Solution for Balancing Renewable Energy Supply and Demand

The transition to renewable energy sources is essential for reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating climate change. However, the intermittent and unpredictable nature of renewable energy generation often leads to mismatches between supply and demand. Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) has emerged as a promising solution for large-scale, long-term energy storage. By utilizing geological formations such as salt caverns, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, and deep saline aquifers, UHS offers a cost-effective, safe, and efficient method to store surplus energy in the form of hydrogen. This article explores some of the conducted and undergoing projects aiming at tackling current unique challenges of UHS, which differ significantly from conventional underground construction projects. Focusing on research conducted at Montanuniversität Leoben, Chair of Subsurface Engineering independently or in an international collaboration with different partners.