Collection Editors

Niklas Heinemann University of Edinburgh
Edward Hough British Geological Survey
Dave Dewhurst CSIRO
Sebastian Geiger Delft University of Technology

Scope

Geoenergy is calling for papers to be submitted to a thematic collection on hydrogen as a future energy source – exploration, storage, monitoring.

Hydrogen has been identified as a clean substitute for carbon-based fuel, as it does not emit CO₂ when releasing its energy. Additionally, the large-scale storage of hydrogen in the subsurface supports the energy transition in several ways: 1) the decarbonisation of energy storage in a zero-carbon future; 2) the alleviation of the main drawback of wind and solar, namely its dependence on fluctuating atmospheric events by storing green hydrogen during times of low energy demand; and 3) increased energy security by substituting otherwise imported fuel by locally produced hydrogen. This thematic topic will investigate the technical opportunities and the scientific challenges of a future hydrogen energy landscape.

Topics may involve, but are not restricted to:

• Hydrogen’s physical properties present several challenges for storage, resulting in potentially different flow behaviour during storage compared to other subsurface gasses. Biotic and abiotic reactions within the reservoir or the caprock, but also with wells, as well as uncertainties due to potential leakage and unrecoverable hydrogen, need to be further explored and quantified.
• Natural, or gold, hydrogen, which can be produced from subsurface accumulations, has gained a lot of attention recently. Its detection and production, but also the use of naturally stored hydrogen as analogues for engineered storage, might change how we think about hydrogen storage in the future.
• The three types of underground hydrogen storage reservoirs – depleted field, saline aquifers, and salt caverns, are currently considered for storage, and feasibility studies, including de-risking strategies, containment and capacity analysis, and monitoring workflows, are of future interest. Additionally, we invite research into future hydrogen storage research, such as ammonia, alternative cushion gas etc.
• Experimental and numerical modelling studies, including new experimental protocols and numerical algorithms, to better characterise and quantify the movement of hydrogen through (fractured) rocks from the pore- to the reservoir scale.

Submission

Full author guidelines can be found here.

Submission should be made via the Geoenergy Editorial Manager website.

When submitting manuscripts make sure to identify the submission as being for the ‘Hydrogen as a future energy source’ collection by selecting it from the ‘Section/Category’ drop-down list.

Submission are ongoing.

For any queries contact the journal office: geoenergy@geolsoc.org.uk

Accepted papers will appear below on an ongoing basis.