PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND ENERGY ASPECTS OF UNDERGROUND HYDROGEN STORAGE

Large scale energy storage is becoming an important consideration as we turn more towards nuclear power and the utilization of renewable sources such as solar energy. Underground storage of hydrogen in aquifers has been suggested as an inexpensive method of providing the required energy storage. With this theme in mind, the losses associated with gas storage in aquifers are discussed. These losses include physical leakage of gas, loss of gas through underground chemical reactions and the energy requirements associated with storing and recovering the gas. Although underground storage of hydrogen appears a most promising solution to the problem of large scale energy storage it is shown that much work remains to be done to confirm this. For example, better estimates of hydrogen diffusion through water saturated porous media are required. © 1980.