The role of geologic storage

The hydrogen economy promises to transform our energy future, but we face significant challenges in realizing its potential—the main one among them is energy storage. For us in South Asia, a region blessed with abundant hydrocarbon basins, the geological storage of hydrogen emerges as a promising solution.

In current research published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, we explore the technical capacities, economic implications, and strategic advantages of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, emphasizing its role in addressing the region’s growing energy demands and fostering a low-carbon future.

Why geologic storage matters for us

Hydrogen is often celebrated as the fuel of the future due to its high energy density and clean-burning properties. However, we face challenges in scaling up its use because current storage methods—compressed gas, liquid hydrogen, and emerging technologies like cryogenic and solid-state storage—are limited in capacity and cost-effectiveness.

Geological hydrogen storage, especially in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, offers us a scalable and economically viable alternative.

Porous geological reservoirs are especially attractive due to their established infrastructure, geologic stability, and high capacity. South Asia’s hydrocarbon basins, distributed across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, have historically served as energy reserves. Today, they stand poised to play a central role in the transition to hydrogen as a primary energy source.

Storage potential: A regional perspective

When we assess the storage potential across South Asia, the numbers are staggering. Across 59 porous reservoirs, we find a cumulative hydrogen storage capacity of nearly 29,799 terawatt-hours (TWh). India leads with 75% of this capacity, with major basins like Mumbai Offshore, Krishna Godavari, and Vindhyan offering immense possibilities. Pakistan and Bangladesh also contribute significantly, with 4,718 TWh and 2,274 TWh of storage capacity, while Sri Lanka offers a vital 197 TWh.

By considering hydrogen-methane blends, we can further enhance our energy storage potential. For example, a 75% hydrogen blend can store 65% more energy than pure hydrogen in the same basin. This approach allows us to maximize existing natural gas infrastructure, reducing costs and easing our transition to hydrogen-based energy systems.

Evaluating costs and challenges

The levelized cost of hydrogen storage (LCHS) is a crucial factor for us to evaluate economic feasibility. Across South Asia, these costs vary. For instance, Bangladesh and Pakistan lead with the lowest costs at $1.28 and $1.20 per kilogram, while India and Sri Lanka stand slightly higher at $2.01 and $2.00. These differences reflect variations in well construction costs and reservoir depths.

Well depth significantly impacts costs in India, where deeper wells increase both capital and operational expenditures. Conversely, compressor costs are the dominant expense in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Despite these differences, South Asia’s LCHS is globally competitive, providing a viable foundation for scaling up hydrogen storage.

Proximity to renewable energy sources: A strategic advantage

Hydrogen production depends heavily on renewable energy, and South Asia offers us unique opportunities. With diverse geographies, we have access to substantial solar and wind capacities.

Western and southern India, with high renewable potential, align perfectly with key storage basins like Krishna Godavari and Mumbai Offshore. Similarly, Pakistan’s northern and eastern regions, along with Bangladesh’s southeastern basins, such as Shabazpur and Sangu, offer strategic locations to minimize transportation costs for green hydrogen.

Overcoming risks together

While geological hydrogen storage offers tremendous promise, we must address the risks. Reservoir heterogeneity, fluid-rock interactions, and potential fault reactivation need thorough evaluation. Additionally, understanding hydrogen plume behavior, managing microbial activity, and preventing gas leakage are critical to ensuring safe and efficient storage.

We also need to manage our expectations regarding capacity. For example, even using a conservative estimate—0.1% of India’s basin volume—can store approximately 22.6 TWh of hydrogen, a significant capacity to meet our growing energy demands.

Building our hydrogen future

South Asia’s hydrogen storage potential isn’t just about energy independence; it’s a chance for us to lead the global transition to a low-carbon future. Our hydrocarbon basins can help us address renewable energy intermittency while maintaining a stable energy supply.

To seize this opportunity, we need to invest in infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and technological advancements. By working together across nations and forming global partnerships, we can accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as the backbone of our energy systems.

This is our moment. By repurposing our hydrocarbon basins for hydrogen storage, we can tackle our energy challenges, drive regional economic growth, and set an example for the world. Together, we can unlock South Asia’s hydrogen economy and move toward a sustainable, hydrogen-powered future.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate.

Debanjan Guha Roy is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur. His research interest is in geological energy storage and production, emergent geo-energy solutions, and geological engineering for infrastructure development and protection.