Underground Hydrogen Storage: Processes, Analysis, and Techno-Economic Performance

While underground storage technologies are well established for natural gas, hydrogen introduces unique technical and economic challenges due to its physicochemical properties and reactivity in subsurface environments. Processes such as hydrogen dissolution, diffusion, microbial consumption, and geochemical reactions can affect storage performance and recovery efficiency.Recent developments in digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and data-driven modeling, offer new opportunities to better predict and optimize subsurface hydrogen behavior. At the same time, assessing the overall energy efficiency and economic feasibility of UHS systems is essential for large-scale deployment. Despite growing interest, integrated studies combining subsurface science, AI-based modeling, and techno-economic evaluation remain limited, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research in this area.The transition toward low-carbon energy systems has accelerated the need for scalable hydrogen storage solutions capable of supporting intermittent renewable energy supply. Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in porous geological formations offers a promising approach for large-scale, long-duration storage. However, key challenges remain in understanding subsurface processes, optimizing operational performance, and ensuring economic viability. This Research Topic aims to address these challenges by integrating advances in geoscience, engineering, and data-driven methodologies. The collection will focus on improving the understanding of subsurface behavior, enhancing storage performance, and evaluating system reliability under operational conditions. Additionally, it will explore energy efficiency, lifecycle energy consumption, and techno-economic analyses to assess the feasibility and scalability of UHS. The goal is to provide a comprehensive framework for advancing safe, efficient, and economically viable hydrogen storage solutions.This Research Topic invites original research articles, reviews, and perspectives addressing both fundamental and applied aspects of underground hydrogen storage in subsurface porous media. Contributions are particularly encouraged in the following areas:Subsurface Processes and Engineering:- Hydrogen flow and transport in porous media; hydrogen–rock–brine interactions; microbial and biogeochemical processes; caprock integrity and leakage risk assessment; reservoir performance under cyclic operations.- Energy and Techno-Economic Assessment:- Energy efficiency and lifecycle energy consumption of UHS systems; techno-economic modeling and cost–benefit analysis; integration of UHS with renewable energy systems; economic feasibility, scalability, and policy implications.Modeling and Experimental Studies:- Multiphysics and multiscale numerical simulations; laboratory and field-scale investigations; coupled thermal–hydraulic–chemical–biological (THCB) processes.- Interdisciplinary studies combining experimental and numerical approaches are strongly encouraged. Topic editors: Reza Derakhshani Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80944/underground-hydrogen-storage-processes-analysis-and-techno-economic-performance