Comprehensive Feasibility Evaluation of Hydrogen-Carbon-Salt Cavern-Renewable Energy System

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have proposed a novel hydrogen-carbon-salt cavern-renewable energy (HCSR) system to address the challenges of large-scale energy utilization and storage efficiency. The system utilizes the power-to-gas (PtG) principle to produce and store methane, methanol, carbon monoxide, and petrol. A comprehensive evaluation system was built to analyze the feasibility of the HCSR system, including economy model, geological stability, and environment model. The study found that the HCSR system can save significant amounts of money and reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The HCSR system can produce and store methane, methanol, carbon monoxide, and petrol using the power-to-gas (PtG) principle.
  • The system can save 1.68 x 10^10 dollars and 1.79 x 10^10 dollars compared to surface storage tanks and rock cavern storage in 2024.
  • The economy of the HCSR system is greater than other traditional systems, with a maximum displacement of 4.5 m, effective strain of 0.18, and dilatancy of 0.4 in salt caverns with interlayers.
  • The HCSR system has a maximum environmental parameter of zero-carbon circulation and utilization of renewable energy, accounting for 43.06% and 23.12%, respectively.
  • Geological stability was the most sensitive parameter (54.13%) in the HCSR system.
  • The study concluded that the system will contribute to the development of zero-carbon circulation and energy transition.

Statistics:

  • The HCSR system can save 1.68 x 10^10 dollars and 1.79 x 10^10 dollars compared to traditional systems.
  • The economy of the HCSR system exceeds other traditional systems by an unspecified margin.
  • The maximum displacement of 4.5 m, effective strain of 0.18, and dilatancy of 0.4 in salt caverns with interlayers satisfy the stability criteria.
  • The maximum environmental parameters of zero-carbon circulation and utilization of renewable energy are 43.06% and 23.12%, respectively.
  • Geological stability is the most sensitive parameter (54.13%) in the HCSR system.

Sources:

  • A Comprehensive Feasibility Evaluation of Hydrogen-Carbon-Salt Cavern-Renewable Energy (Hcsr) System. Energy, 2025;331. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Energy - www.journals.elsevier.com/energy/)
  • Investigators at Chinese Academy of Sciences Report Findings in Renewable Energy [A Comprehensive Feasibility Evaluation of Hydrogen-Carbon-Salt Cavern-Renewable Energy (Hcsr) System]. Ecology, Environment & Conservation. September 19, 2025; p 133.