Main topic
Hydrogen underground storage
As the integration of renewable energies into our energy supply continues to grow, the need for storing wind and solar energy becomes increasingly essential. Underground gas storage (UGS) is set to be instrumental in meeting this demand. We offer our support in repurposing (converting) your underground storage facility for hydrogen storage and devising a forward-looking strategy for the future.
Services for converting natural gas-UGS to hydrogen (UHS)
- Evaluation of hydrogen storage capacities for pore- and cavern-UGS
- Assessment of the current state and hydrogen tolerances of UGS for underground (downhole) and surface facilities
- Material evaluations and analysis of operational parameter variations
- Conversion concept: measures, timeline, and cost plan
- Economic feasibility studies
Reservoirmodellierung für Wasserstoff-Untergrundspeicherung
Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) requires tailored modelling approaches that capture hydrogen-specific flow behaviour and interaction mechanisms beyond those encountered in conventional natural gas storage. We cover both salt cavern storage and pore storage in depleted gas fields and aquifers, supporting projects from the conceptual/ feasibility phase through to field-scale implementation. Dynamic modelling is performed using tNavigator, enabling fast turnaround times and an integrated workflow for large‑scale compositional models.
Our modelling services build on extensive experience from commercial and research hydrogen storage and Biomethanation (Similar approach) projects as outlined below:
Biomethanation Projects in Porous Media: Bio-UGS, UMAS
Hydrogen Storage Projects:
Porous Media: H2-PoreConv, HENRI, Kirchheilingen
Caverns: H2_UGS, H2-StoreFlex
Modelling supports the evaluation of the following aspects:
- Working and cushion gas volumes
- Loss mechanisms and recovery efficiency
- Hydrogen purity and compositional changes over time
- Pressure limits and reservoir management strategies
- Long-term storage performance and technical feasibility
Modelling of Hydrogen Storage in Salt Caverns
Salt caverns are typically modelled as closed, fixed-volume storage systems with strong coupling between thermodynamic, hydraulic, and geomechanical processes.
Key modelling aspects include:
- Assessment of long-term cyclic pressure and temperature behaviour under reservoir stability and integrity margins
- Evaluation of cavern leaching and geometry development
- Analysis of salt behaviour under in-situ stress conditions (e.g. creep, convergence, and subsidence)
- Evaluation of mixing between cushion gas and working gas, including compositional effects
- Assessment of thermal effects during injection and withdrawal cycles (Joule–Thomson cooling/heating)
- Estimation of gas losses (e.g. diffusion, leakage pathways, operational losses)
- Operational optimisation of injection–withdrawal cycles and deliverability
- Assessment of potential microbial activity (typically limited in salt caverns, but considered where relevant)
- Evaluation of abandonment and long-term sealing performance
Modelling of Hydrogen Storage in Porous Media
Pore storage is modelled as a dynamic pressure‑driven flow system where reservoir heterogeneity, connectivity, and boundary conditions strongly control storage performance and gas recovery
Key processes addressed in modelling include:
- Gravity segregation and vertical migration of the hydrogen plume
- Development of mixing zones between hydrogen and cushion gas
- Residual trapping and associated hydrogen losses
- Viscous fingering and flow instabilities due to mobility contrasts
- Potential geochemical reactions leading to mineralogical changes, which may cause pore plugging and alterations in porosity and permeability
- Microbial interactions affecting hydrogen consumption and hydrogen purity in production streams, including sulfate reduction (H₂S), acetogenesis, and methanogenesis, potentially resulting in undesired by-products
- Evaluation of the impact of trapping mechanisms on hydrogen recovery efficiency
- Influence of cyclic injection–withdrawal operations on pressure evolution and fluid reservoir behaviour
System integration
Design and adaptation of the wellbore and completion design:
With our solutions, we pursue an integrative approach that considers not only the UGS itself but also its integration into the entire energy infrastructure. This allows for addressing questions along the entire value chain of energy supply.
- Integration of UGS into the gas supply system at the transportation and distribution network level
- Analysis of storage requirements for various media
- Analysis of the required UGS infrastructure and planning for its development
- Optimization of UGS in coordination with grids, producers, and consumers as well as the need for gas treatment
Further training
We offer training courses on various aspects of underground hydrogen storage for different target groups such as management, engineers, technicians, and beginners. Training programs and materials can be tailored to individual needs and inquiries.
- The role of hydrogen in the sustainable energy supply system: potential and possibilities
- Properties and characteristics of hydrogen
- UGS infrastructure and its role in a hydrogen system
- Storage capacities: Changes in volumes and energy capacity
- Storage methods
- Impact of hydrogen (mixing) on underground and surface facilities
- Measures to increase the H2 tolerance of UGS, material suitability
- Health Safety Environment and Ex-Zones
Der gesamte Prozess der geothermalen Energieerzeugung kann durch die entwickelte Methodik geplant, optimiert und überwacht werden. Er ist flexibel und standortspezifisch einsetzbar.
Your contact to us
The DBI Newsletter.
Receive regular updates from the DBI, tailored to your personal interests.
