From oil to hydrogen: Can old wells hold the new fuel? [Video]

Our daily news digest will keep you up to date with engineering, science and technology news, Monday to Saturday.

By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Policies You may unsubscribe at any time.

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are exploring a novel solution for storing hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel with the potential to revolutionize the energy sector. Their sights are set on a familiar target: depleted oil and natural gas reservoirs.

Hydrogen: A clean energy champion with storage challenges

Hydrogen offers a compelling proposition. It can be generated from renewable sources like solar and wind power through electrolysis, splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This clean fuel can then be used to generate electricity, power heavy industries, and fuel vehicles equipped with hydrogen fuel cells – all without releasing harmful greenhouse gasses during operation.

One significant hurdle, however, lies in storing hydrogen. Due to its low energy density by volume compared to traditional fuels, storing …