نقش ذخیره‌سازی زیرزمینی هیدروژن در تأمین انرژی پایدار کشور

The transition toward clean and sustainable energy sources is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. In this context, green hydrogen, produced from renewable sources such as wind and solar power, has emerged as a promising energy carrier for decarbonization. However, one of the main challenges in the widespread use of hydrogen lies in its safe, cost-effective, and large-scale storage. This is where underground hydrogen storage becomes a key and strategic solution to ensure energy security and sustainability.
Iran, with its favorable geological potential—including depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers, and salt formations—possesses a unique opportunity to develop this advanced technology. Expanding this capacity not only enables the storage of large volumes of excess hydrogen produced during times of energy surplus but also serves as a flexible source to secure energy supply during peak demand or temporary reductions in renewable energy production.
Various types of underground structures can be used for hydrogen storage, each with its own advantages and considerations. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs, due to existing infrastructure and relatively well-understood geology, offer a quick and economical option. Deep saline aquifers, which contain non-potable brine, have the potential for very large gas storage volumes, although they require more detailed geological studies and careful assessment of potential chemical interactions between hydrogen and the porous rock media. Among these, salt caverns, formed through controlled dissolution of salt layers, provide high containment integrity, enabling safe hydrogen storage with minimal losses and rapid response to demand fluctuations.
For effective monitoring and management of underground storage systems, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can play a vital role. AI and machine learning algorithms can analyze large datasets from seismic surveys, well logging, pressure, and temperature measurements to model and predict reservoir behavior, detect early-stage leaks, optimize injection and withdrawal operations, and assess risks associated with microbial or chemical reactions involving hydrogen.
The future outlook for underground hydrogen storage—globally and especially in Iran—is bright and critical. As the global production of green hydrogen accelerates, the need for scalable and economical storage solutions becomes increasingly urgent. Leading countries in Europe (such as the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands) and North America are already implementing pilot projects and moving toward commercial-scale underground hydrogen storage.
For Iran, the development of this technology is not merely an option but a strategic necessity. It can position the country as a regional hub in the green hydrogen value chain, strengthen energy security by establishing a clean energy carrier, utilize existing oil and gas infrastructure during the energy transition, and contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fulfilling environmental commitments.
Investment in applied research, the development of advanced AI-based monitoring technologies, formulation of regulatory frameworks, and active engagement of the private sector and international partners are the key pillars for successfully harnessing this vast underground potential to secure a sustainable future for the country.