A New Zealand research is modelling the injection, storage, and extraction of 10,000 tonnes of underground hydrogen at natural gas storage site in Taranaki of the North Island.
The models are designed to simulate the complex processes involved in hydrogen storage, said PhD candidate Liu Jinjian of the University of Canterbury (UC).
“They help us predict what might happen, identify potential challenges, and determine practical solutions for hydrogen extraction,’’ said Liu who conducted the research supervised by UC Associate Prof., David Dempsey.
While storing natural gas underground is standard, it is also less complex because it is in its natural environment.
Using the same process for hydrogen is a comparative unknown but it may end up being critical to whether New Zealand has a hydrogen future, according to the study.
The research highlights critical operational considerations, such as managing reservoir pressure, minimising hydrogen loss, and maintaining gas purity.
Liu said, citing an example that the site’s unique geology allowed hydrogen to sit buoyantly in cups within the reservoir, but excessive injection risks spillover.
“One challenge already identified is contamination during extraction, as hydrogen often mixes with residual natural gas or water.
“While this mixture may complicate some applications, it could still be viable for power generation or certain chemical processes,’’ Dempsey said.
Hydrogen storage at scale could act as a buffer, much like reservoirs do for water, he said.
He added that the goal was to develop a framework that can be applied to various sites nationwide, optimising storage and minimising transport challenges.