A preliminary site selection system for underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns and its application in Pingdingshan, China

Large-scale underground hydrogen storage (UHS) provides a promising method for increasing the role of hydrogen in the process of carbon neutrality and energy transition. Of all the existing storage deposits, salt caverns are recognized as ideal sites for pure hydrogen storage. Evaluation and optimization of site selection for hydrogen storage facilities in salt caverns have become significant issues. In this article, the software CiteSpace is used to analyze and filter hot topics in published research. Based on a detailed classification and analysis, a “four-factor” model for the site selection of salt cavern hydrogen storage is proposed, encompassing the dynamic demands of hydrogen energy, geological, hydrological, and ground factors of salt mines. Subsequently, 20 basic indicators for comprehensive suitability grading of the target site were screened using the analytic hierarchy process and expert survey methods were adopted, which provided a preliminary site selection system for salt cavern hydrogen storage. Ultimately, the developed system was applied for the evaluation of salt cavern hydrogen storage sites in the salt mines of Pingdingshan City, Henan Province, thereby confirming its rationality and effectiveness. This research provides a feasible method and theoretical basis for the site selection of UHS in salt caverns in China.