Our hydrogen research spans the full subsurface hydrogen cycle—from underground storage and infrastructure integrity to the emerging opportunity of stimulated geological hydrogen generation. Realizing the potential of hydrogen in the energy system, however, requires a comprehensive understanding of how hydrogen is generated, stored, transported, and retained within subsurface environments. Our research addresses these challenges through an integrated program that spans underground hydrogen storage, subsurface infrastructure integrity, and the emerging field of stimulated geological hydrogen.
Stanford has been at the forefront of developing the scientific foundations needed for secure and effective underground hydrogen storage. Our work investigates the multiphase flow behavior of hydrogen in porous geological formations, including the processes that govern injectivity, migration, trapping, and recovery. Through laboratory experiments, pore-scale electron microscopy, numerical simulation, and reservoir-scale analysis, we seek to improve predictions of storage performance and operational reliability across a range of geological settings.
A central focus of our research is understanding the interactions between hydrogen and the materials that comprise subsurface storage systems. We examine the coupled physical and chemical processes that influence long-term containment, including hydrogen transport through porous media and interactions with the formation as well as wellbore materials. Current investigations explore how hydrogen affects the behavior and integrity of cement-based barriers used in underground wells, providing critical insight into the design and long-term performance of storage infrastructure.
Beyond storage, our group is advancing research on stimulated geological hydrogen, an emerging approach that seeks to accelerate naturally occurring reactions within the Earth’s crust to generate hydrogen resources in situ. This work integrates geochemistry, fluid flow, reactive transport, reservoir engineering, and subsurface characterization to evaluate the feasibility, productivity, and scalability of geological hydrogen systems. By combining fundamental process understanding with engineering analysis, we aim to establish the scientific principles needed to assess and develop this potentially transformative energy resource.
Our hydrogen research reflects a broader commitment to understanding and managing subsurface systems across scales. By integrating experimentation, advanced characterization, computational modeling, and field-relevant analysis, we are developing the knowledge required to support a future in which hydrogen plays a significant role in sustainable and resilient energy systems.
HY-TSS is a spreadsheet-based tool designed to screen and rank prospective depleted gas and oil reservoirs for high-volume subsurface hydrogen storage. This is V1.0 check back for future updates. Download (HY-TSS V1.0)