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2025 Vol.35, Issue 4 Preview Page

Technical Note

Comprehensive Analysis of Large-Capacity Liquid Hydrogen Storage Utilizing Underground Rock Cavern

지하 암반을 활용한 중대용량 액체수소 저장기술 분석

Jong-Won Lee1
,
Eui-Seob Park2
,
Yong-Bok Jung3
,
Myungsun Kim4
,
Min-Jun Kim4*
이 종원1
,
박 의섭2
,
정 용복3
,
김 명선4
,
김 민준4*
1Post-Doctoral Researcher, Deep Geological Disposal & Energy Storage Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
2Head, Deep Geological Disposal & Energy Storage Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
3Director, Geological Safety Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
4Senior Researcher, Deep Geological Disposal & Energy Storage Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
1한국지질자원연구원 방폐물심층처분연구센터 박사후연수자
2한국지질자원연구원 방폐물심층처분연구센터 센터장
3한국지질자원연구원 국토안전연구본부 본부장
4한국지질자원연구원 방폐물심층처분연구센터 선임연구원
*Corresponding Author
31 August 2025. pp. 363-384
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Abstract

Hydrogen energy is recognized as a critical solution for achieving carbon neutrality due to its high specific energy and zero carbon emissions upon combustion. This study reviews current technologies for underground hydrogen storage to support large-scale, long-duration storage systems essential for a stable hydrogen supply. Various geological storage methods, including salt caverns, depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers, and lined rock caverns (LRC), were analyzed for their technical feasibility and applicability under Korean geological conditions. Among these options, LRC systems emerged as the most promising approach, offering design flexibility and minimal dependence on specific geological formations. Additionally, this study evaluated different hydrogen storage carriers, such as compressed gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, liquid ammonia, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers. Liquid hydrogen was identified as an optimal storage carrier for underground applications due to its high volumetric energy density, despite challenges related to cryogenic storage and material embrittlement. These findings suggest that liquid hydrogen storage in LRC systems can be a practical strategy to enhance Korea’s energy security and advance its hydrogen economy. This review provides essential insights for the development of safe, efficient underground hydrogen storage technologies.

Keywords
Hydrogen energy
Underground storage
Carrier
Low-temperature conditions

수소에너지는 높은 비에너지와 연소 시 이산화탄소를 배출하지 않는 특성으로 인해 탄소중립 달성을 위한 핵심 수단으로 인식되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 안정적인 수소 공급을 위한 대규모 및 장주기 저장 시스템 구축에 필수적인 지하 수소저장 기술을 검토하였다. 암염 공동, 폐유/가스전, 심부 대수층, 복공식 암반공동(LRC) 등 다양한 지하 저장 방식의 대해 국내 지질 조건에서의 기술적 타당성과 적용 가능성을 분석하였다. 이 중 LRC 방식은 설계 유연성이 높고 특정 지질 조건에 대한 의존도가 낮아 가장 유망한 방법으로 평가되었다. 또한, 압축 기체 수소, 액체 수소, 액상 암모니아, 액상 유기수소운반체 등 다양한 수소 저장물질 형태를 평가한 결과, 액체 수소는 극저온 저장과 재료 취성화의 기술적 한계에도 불구하고 높은 부피당 에너지 밀도로 인해 지하 저장용으로 최적의 저장물질 형태로 도출되었다. 본 연구에서는 LRC 시스템을 활용한 액체 수소 저장이 국내 에너지 안보 강화와 수소경제 실현을 위한 효과적인 방안으로 평가되었다. 이러한 결과는 안전하고 효율적인 지하 수소저장 기술 개발을 위한 기초 자료로 유용하게 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

키워드
수소에너지
지하저장
저장물질
저온 조건
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국암반공학회
  • Journal Title :Tunnel and Underground Space
  • Journal Title(Ko) :터널과 지하공간
  • Volume : 35
  • No :4
  • Pages :363-384
  • Received Date : 2025-07-25
  • Revised Date : 2025-08-11
  • Accepted Date : 2025-08-12
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7474/TUS.2025.35.4.363
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