GREEN ENERGY &
ENERGY TRANSITION

Site Screening & Feasibility Assessment

• Geological Site Selection for Hydrogen Storage
  • Salt Caverns: Artificial cavities created by solution mining in salt domes/beds; high sealing capacity, low reactivity.
  • Depleted Gas Fields: Existing porous reservoirs with proven sealing caprocks; requires cushion gas (N₂/CH₄).
  • Porous Aquifers: Deep saline aquifers with suitable porosity/permeability; risk of microbial H₂ consumption.
  • Hard Rock Caverns: Engineered tunnels in granite/basalt; high construction costs but stable long-term.
• Volumetric Storage Capacity Assessment
  • Hydrogen Column Height: Estimates storage volume based on reservoir thickness and porosity.
  • Energy Density: Compares H₂ (low energy density) to methane for equivalent energy storage.
  • Cushion Gas Volume: Determines required inert gas (N₂/CH₄) to maintain reservoir pressure during extraction.
• GIS-Based Mapping of Storage Opportunities
  • Uses EU Geological Data Platform (e.g., EGDI) to overlay H₂ storage sites with renewable energy hubs (offshore wind, solar farms).
• Integration Planning with Existing Energy Infrastructure
  • Grid Balancing: Stores excess wind/solar power as H₂ via electrolysis.
  • Supply Chain Links: Proximity to pipelines, industrial H₂ users (ammonia/steel plants).

Subsurface Characterization & Modeling

• Geophysical & Geomechanical Investigations
  • ERT/TEM/Seismic: Maps faults, caprock integrity, and reservoir geometry.
  • Gravity Surveys: Detects density contrasts (e.g., salt domes vs. sedimentary rock).
• Hydrogeological & Petrophysical Modeling
  • Porosity/Permeability: Core lab tests (helium porosimetry, pulse decay permeability).
  • Wettability & Capillary Pressure: Determines H₂ trapping vs. mobility in pore spaces.
• Hydrogen Flow & Thermodynamic Modeling
  • Advection/Diffusion: Predicts H₂ migration using reservoir simulators (e.g., TOUGH2).
  • Thermal Effects: Evaluates heat exchange during injection/withdrawal cycles.
• Geomechanical Risk Assessment
  • Fault Reactivation: Models stress changes from cyclic injection (FLAC3D).
  • Microseismicity: Monitors induced tremors via acoustic sensors.

Geochemistry & Microbiology Risk Analysis

• Geochemical Compatibility Assessment
  • Mineral Reactions: H₂ reduces sulfates (pyrite → H₂S), dissolves carbonates (calcite).
  • Gas Composition: Tracks H₂ purity degradation due to microbial activity.
• Well Cement & Casing Interaction Studies
  • Degradation Risk: H₂ embrittlement of steel casings; cement carbonation.
• Microbial Impact Studies
  • H₂S Generation: Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) metabolize H₂ → toxic H₂S.
  • Biofilm Clogging: Microbial growth reduces permeability.
• Reservoir Reactivity Classification
  • Low-Risk Sites: Salt caverns (sterile, inert).
  • High-Risk Sites: Aquifers with organic-rich layers.

Design & Engineering Services

• Hydrogen Cavern & Reservoir Design
  • Salt Cavern Leaching: Uses freshwater injection to dissolve salt, creating storage voids.
  • Aquifer Injection Wells: Screened completions to optimize H₂ flow.
• Well Integrity Assurance
  • Casing Materials: H₂-resistant alloys (Inconel, duplex stainless steel).
  • Cementing: Epoxy resins to prevent H₂ leakage.
• Surface Infrastructure Suitability
  • Material Compatibility: Avoids hydrogen embrittlement in pipelines/valves.

Monitoring & Risk Management

• Advanced Monitoring Systems
  • Real-Time ERT: Tracks H₂ plume movement.
  • Microseismic Arrays: Detects fault slips.
• Leakage Risk Assessment
  • Abandoned Wells: Cement plug integrity checks.
  • Fault Seals: Pressure monitoring across caprocks.
• Microbial Community Monitoring
  • DNA Sequencing: Tracks SRB populations in groundwater.

Operational Support & Lifecycle Management

• Injection/Withdrawal Optimization
  • Cyclic Pressure Management: Avoids geomechanical fatigue.
• Cushion Gas Modeling
  • Cost-Benefit: N₂ (cheap) vs. CH₄ (energy recovery).
• Post-Closure Surveillance
  • Satellite Monitoring: Detects surface deformations (InSAR).