Role of large-scale underground hydrogen storage and its pathways to achieve net-zero in China

Abstract

To reach carbon peak in 2030, China aims to implement massive scale renewable energy, mainly wind and solar. Hydrogen appears to be an enabler to balance the renewable energy supply and demand. To this end, building a hydrogen value chain is significantly important to decarbonize China's economy. Large-scale hydrogen storage is one of the main bottlenecks for the full development of hydrogen value chain. Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) offers a safe, large-scale, and cost-effective solution. We examined the locations and distributions of renewable energy farms in China. We mapped the distribution of renewable energy producers and consumers together with site-specific techno-economic analysis. We identified the main locations of UHS in China with an assessment of existing geological storage facilities to accelerate the carbon peak in 2030. Moreover, we discussed the key physiochemical, biochemical, geochemical, and hydrodynamic processes affecting efficiency of UHS. We outlined future research directions to accelerate UHS implementation, providing a practical framework to implement UHS worldwide.