IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i1p169-d1559721.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Offshore Wind Power—Seawater Electrolysis—Salt Cavern Hydrogen Storage Coupling System: Potential and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaoyi Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yashuai Huang

    (State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xilin Shi

    (State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Weizheng Bai

    (State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Si Huang

    (State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Peng Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Mingnan Xu

    (State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Yinping Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

Abstract

Offshore wind power construction has seen significant development due to the high density of offshore wind energy and the minimal terrain restrictions for offshore wind farms. However, integrating this energy into the grid remains a challenge. The scientific community is increasingly focusing on hydrogen as a means to enhance the integration of these fluctuating renewable energy sources. This paper reviews the research on renewable energy power generation, water electrolysis for hydrogen production, and large-scale hydrogen storage. By integrating the latest advancements, we propose a system that couples offshore wind power generation, seawater electrolysis (SWE) for hydrogen production, and salt cavern hydrogen storage. This coupling system aims to address practical issues such as the grid integration of offshore wind power and large-scale hydrogen storage. Regarding the application potential of this coupling system, this paper details the advantages of developing renewable energy and hydrogen energy in Jiangsu using this system. While there are still some challenges in the application of this system, it undeniably offers a new pathway for coastal cities to advance renewable energy development and sets a new direction for hydrogen energy progress.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoyi Liu & Yashuai Huang & Xilin Shi & Weizheng Bai & Si Huang & Peng Li & Mingnan Xu & Yinping Li, 2025. "Offshore Wind Power—Seawater Electrolysis—Salt Cavern Hydrogen Storage Coupling System: Potential and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:1:p:169-:d:1559721
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/169/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/169/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei, Xinxing & Shi, Xilin & Li, Yinping & Li, Peng & Ban, Shengnan & Zhao, Kai & Ma, Hongling & Liu, Hejuan & Yang, Chunhe, 2023. "A comprehensive feasibility evaluation of salt cavern oil energy storage system in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 351(C).
    2. Zhu, Shijie & Shi, Xilin & Yang, Chunhe & Li, Yinping & Li, Hang & Yang, Kun & Wei, Xinxing & Bai, Weizheng & Liu, Xin, 2023. "Hydrogen loss of salt cavern hydrogen storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    3. Zhu, Shijie & Shi, Xilin & Yang, Chunhe & Bai, Weizheng & Wei, Xinxing & Yang, Kun & Li, Peng & Li, Hang & Li, Yinping & Wang, Guibin, 2024. "Site selection evaluation for salt cavern hydrogen storage in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    4. Bai, Weizheng & Shi, Xilin & Yang, Chunhe & Zhu, Shijie & Wei, Xinxing & Li, Yinping & Liu, Xin, 2024. "Assessment of the potential of salt mines for renewable energy peaking in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    5. Tarkowski, Radoslaw, 2019. "Underground hydrogen storage: Characteristics and prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 86-94.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Si Huang & Yinping Li & Xilin Shi & Weizheng Bai & Yashuai Huang & Yang Hong & Xiaoyi Liu & Hongling Ma & Peng Li & Mingnan Xu & Tianfu Xue, 2024. "The Role of Underground Salt Caverns in Renewable Energy Peaking: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Zhu, Song & Ling, Daosheng & Liu, Jia & Wang, Zhuoteng & Gao, Wu & Azhar, Muhammad Usman & Chen, Yunmin & Zhan, Liangtong & Xu, Wenjie & Li, Jinlong, 2025. "Construction prediction of horizontal energy storage salt caverns using a novel concentration-field model," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    3. Fu, Liupeng & Fan, Jinyang & Shi, Xilin & Zhu, Shijie & Wei, Xinxing & Tian, Hao, 2025. "Concealed morphology construction and stability evaluation of two butted-well horizontal salt caverns gas storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    4. Bai, Weizheng & Shi, Xilin & Yang, Chunhe & Zhu, Shijie & Wei, Xinxing & Li, Yinping & Liu, Xin, 2024. "Assessment of the potential of salt mines for renewable energy peaking in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    5. Zhang, Guimin & Wang, Xiao & Shi, Xilin & Li, Yinping & Liu, Kai & Bai, Weizheng & Liu, Yuxuan & Wei, Xinxing & An, Zhaoliang, 2025. "Stability evaluation and economic analysis of four-well interconnection salt cavern hydrogen storage-A case study of Huai'an, China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    6. Li, Peng & Li, Yinping & Shi, Xilin & Zhu, Shijie & Ma, Hongling & Yang, Chunhe, 2024. "Gas tightness around salt cavern gas storage in bedded salt formations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    7. Wiegner, J.F. & Andreasson, L.M. & Kusters, J.E.H. & Nienhuis, R.M., 2024. "Interdisciplinary perspectives on offshore energy system integration in the North Sea: A systematic literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PA).
    8. Barbara Uliasz-Misiak & Joanna Lewandowska-Śmierzchalska & Rafał Matuła & Radosław Tarkowski, 2022. "Prospects for the Implementation of Underground Hydrogen Storage in the EU," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-17, December.
    9. Dariusz Knez & Omid Ahmad Mahmoudi Zamani, 2023. "Up-to-Date Status of Geoscience in the Field of Natural Hydrogen with Consideration of Petroleum Issues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-17, September.
    10. Yun Luo & Wei Liu & Hongxing Wang & Keyao Li, 2025. "The Use of Abandoned Salt Caverns for Energy Storage and Environmental Protection: A Review, Current Status and Future Protections," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-24, May.
    11. Yang, Shenyao & Hu, Shilai & Qi, Zhilin & Qi, Huiqing & Zhao, Guanqun & Li, Jiqiang & Yan, Wende & Huang, Xiaoliang, 2024. "Experiment and prediction for dynamic storage capacity of underground gas storage rebuilt from hydrocarbon reservoir," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    12. Liu, Wei & Zhang, Zhixin & Chen, Jie & Jiang, Deyi & Wu, Fei & Fan, Jinyang & Li, Yinping, 2020. "Feasibility evaluation of large-scale underground hydrogen storage in bedded salt rocks of China: A case study in Jiangsu province," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    13. Bi, Zhenhui & Guo, Yintong & Yang, Chunhe & Yang, Hanzhi & Wang, Lei & He, Yuting & Guo, Wuhao, 2025. "Numerical investigation of fluid dynamics in aquifers for seasonal large-scale hydrogen storage using compositional simulations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    14. Fan Li & Dong Liu & Ke Sun & Songheng Yang & Fangzheng Peng & Kexin Zhang & Guodong Guo & Yuan Si, 2024. "Towards a Future Hydrogen Supply Chain: A Review of Technologies and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-36, February.
    15. Erika Barison & Federica Donda & Barbara Merson & Yann Le Gallo & Arnaud Réveillère, 2023. "An Insight into Underground Hydrogen Storage in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    16. Zhang, Tong & Qadrdan, Meysam & Wu, Jianzhong & Couraud, Benoit & Stringer, Martin & Walker, Sara & Hawkes, Adam & Allahham, Adib & Flynn, David & Pudjianto, Danny & Dodds, Paul & Strbac, Goran, 2025. "A systematic review of modelling methods for studying the integration of hydrogen into energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    17. Song, Hongqing & Lao, Junming & Zhang, Liyuan & Xie, Chiyu & Wang, Yuhe, 2023. "Underground hydrogen storage in reservoirs: pore-scale mechanisms and optimization of storage capacity and efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    18. Leszek Lankof, 2020. "Assessment of Permian Zubers as the Host Rock for Deep Geological Disposal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-32, May.
    19. Jafari Raad, Seyed Mostafa & Leonenko, Yuri & Hassanzadeh, Hassan, 2022. "Hydrogen storage in saline aquifers: Opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    20. Hawkar Ali Abdulhaq & János Geiger & István Vass & Tivadar M. Tóth & Tamás Medgyes & Gábor Bozsó & Balázs Kóbor & Éva Kun & János Szanyi, 2025. "Predicting Thermal Performance of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Depleted Clastic Hydrocarbon Reservoirs via Machine Learning: Case Study from Hungary," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-22, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:1:p:169-:d:1559721. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.