The role of geologic storage

The hydrogen economic system guarantees to rework our vitality future, however we face vital challenges in realizing its potential—the primary one amongst them is vitality storage. For us in South Asia, a area blessed with plentiful hydrocarbon basins, the geological storage of hydrogen emerges as a promising resolution.

In present analysis published within the Worldwide Journal of Hydrogen Powerwe discover the technical capacities, financial implications, and strategic benefits of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, emphasizing its function in addressing the area’s rising vitality calls for and fostering a low-carbon future.

Why geologic storage issues for us

Hydrogen is usually celebrated because the gas of the longer term on account of its excessive vitality density and clean-burning properties. Nonetheless, we face challenges in scaling up its use as a result of present storage strategies—compressed fuel, liquid hydrogenand rising applied sciences like cryogenic and solid-state storage—are restricted in capability and cost-effectiveness.

Geological hydrogen storage, particularly in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, provides us a scalable and economically viable different.

Porous geological reservoirs are particularly enticing on account of their established infrastructure, geologic stability, and excessive capability. South Asia’s hydrocarbon basins, distributed throughout India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, have traditionally served as vitality reserves. At the moment, they stand poised to play a central function within the transition to hydrogen as a major vitality supply.

Storage potential: A regional perspective

After we assess the storage potential throughout South Asia, the numbers are staggering. Throughout 59 porous reservoirs, we discover a cumulative hydrogen storage capability of almost 29,799 terawatt-hours (TWh). India leads with 75% of this capability, with main basins like Mumbai Offshore, Krishna Godavari, and Vindhyan providing immense potentialities. Pakistan and Bangladesh additionally contribute considerably, with 4,718 TWh and a couple of,274 TWh of storage capability, whereas Sri Lanka provides a significant 197 TWh.

By contemplating hydrogen-methane blends, we will additional improve our energy storage potential. For instance, a 75% hydrogen mix can retailer 65% extra vitality than pure hydrogen in the identical basin. This method permits us to maximise current pure fuel infrastructure, lowering prices and easing our transition to hydrogen-based vitality techniques.

Evaluating prices and challenges

The levelized value of hydrogen storage (LCHS) is a vital issue for us to judge financial feasibility. Throughout South Asia, these prices range. As an illustration, Bangladesh and Pakistan lead with the bottom prices at $1.28 and $1.20 per kilogram, whereas India and Sri Lanka stand barely larger at $2.01 and $2.00. These variations mirror variations in properly development prices and reservoir depths.

Effectively depth considerably impacts prices in India, the place deeper wells enhance each capital and operational expenditures. Conversely, compressor prices are the dominant expense in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Regardless of these variations, South Asia’s LCHS is globally aggressive, offering a viable basis for scaling up hydrogen storage.

Proximity to renewable vitality sources: A strategic benefit

Hydrogen manufacturing relies upon closely on renewable vitality, and South Asia provides us distinctive alternatives. With various geographies, now we have entry to substantial photo voltaic and wind capacities.

Western and southern India, with excessive renewable potential, align completely with key storage basins like Krishna Godavari and Mumbai Offshore. Equally, Pakistan’s northern and jap areas, together with Bangladesh’s southeastern basins, reminiscent of Shabazpur and Sangu, supply strategic places to attenuate transportation prices for inexperienced hydrogen.

Overcoming dangers collectively

Whereas geological hydrogen storage provides super promise, we should tackle the dangers. Reservoir heterogeneity, fluid-rock interactions, and potential fault reactivation want thorough analysis. Moreover, understanding hydrogen plume conduct, managing microbial exercise, and stopping fuel leakage are important to making sure secure and environment friendly storage.

We additionally have to handle our expectations relating to capability. For instance, even utilizing a conservative estimate—0.1% of India’s basin quantity—can retailer roughly 22.6 TWh of hydrogen, a major capability to satisfy our rising vitality calls for.

Constructing our hydrogen future

South Asia’s hydrogen storage potential is not nearly vitality independence; it is an opportunity for us to guide the worldwide transition to a low-carbon future. Our hydrocarbon basins can assist us tackle renewable vitality intermittency whereas sustaining a steady vitality provide.

To grab this chance, we have to put money into infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and technological developments. By working collectively throughout nations and forming international partnerships, we will speed up the adoption of hydrogen because the spine of our vitality techniques.

That is our second. By repurposing our hydrocarbon basins for hydrogen storage, we will deal with our vitality challenges, drive regional financial development, and set an instance for the world. Collectively, we will unlock South Asia’s hydrogen economy and transfer towards a sustainable, hydrogen-powered future.

This story is a part of Science X Dialogthe place researchers can report findings from their printed analysis articles. Visit this page for details about Science X Dialog and how one can take part.

Debanjan Guha Roy is an assistant professor within the Division of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering on the Indian Institute of Expertise Jodhpur. His analysis curiosity is in geological vitality storage and manufacturing, emergent geo-energy options, and geological engineering for infrastructure improvement and safety.