As green hydrogen systems are increasingly deployed in the global energy transition, the need for safe, efficient, and low-cost hydrogen storage systems has become a critical bottleneck limiting the large-scale application of green hydrogen. Recently, Electro-power-cell Energy Tech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. engaged in an in-depth technical exchange with Dr. Jerzy, an expert in hydrogen storage technologies and founder of an innovative energy company. The discussion centered on a new concept proposed by Dr. Jerzy: the “Underground Enclosed Water-Sealed Hydrogen Storage System.” This system leverages a unique “Hydrogen Stick System” to provide a novel solution for large-scale, medium- and long-term green hydrogen storage.

I. Current Hydrogen Storage Challenges: High Pressure, High Risk, and High Cost

Conventional hydrogen storage primarily relies on high-pressure gas storage (350–700 bar). While technologically mature, it faces several key challenges:

1. High cost and long construction timelines for pressure vessels

2. Safety risks such as leakage and explosion

3. Poor suitability for underground or remote energy node deployment

4. Low compatibility with green hydrogen systems, reducing overall efficiency

To address these issues, Dr. Jerzy and his team proposed a new storage concept based on low-pressure, water-sealed underground enclosures, which drew strong interest from Electro-power-cell Energy Tech.

II. Technical Highlights: The Synergy of “Hydrogen Stick System” and Water-Sealed Subsurface Design

During the exchange, Dr. Jerzy provided a detailed introduction to the structure and engineering principles behind the Hydrogen Stick System, highlighting its innovative solutions to traditional hydrogen storage challenges:

1. Water-sealed isolation design: Utilizes underground aquifers to create natural pressure barriers, preventing hydrogen leakage and improving overall safety

2. Modular hydrogen stick units: Each "stick" can independently store and release hydrogen, enabling scalable expansion and decentralized management while reducing operational complexity

3. Low-pressure operating mechanism (<50 bar): Significantly reduces tank structural requirements and lowers overall system cost

4. Compatibility with green hydrogen system dynamics: Designed to match the variable hydrogen output characteristics of water electrolysis systems, enhancing end-to-end efficiency from storage to utilization

Dr. Jerzy also noted the system’s geographic versatility, citing its potential for deployment in salt caverns, abandoned mines, and urban subsurface formations, further demonstrating its engineering feasibility and wide-ranging applicability.

III. Electro-power-cell Energy Tech: Building a Closed-Loop System from Green Hydrogen Production to Smart Storage and Utilization

Electro-power-cell Energy Tech has long focused on the development of end-to-end green hydrogen solutions, including:

1. PEM and AEM water electrolysis systems

2. Distributed and centralized green hydrogen system integration

3. Green hydrogen-based synthetic fuels, including green methanol and synthetic natural gas (SNG)

4. Intelligent hydrogen system control and remote O&M platforms

This exchange with Dr. Jerzy marks a strategic step for the company toward integrating green hydrogen production with next-generation hydrogen storage technologies. Electro-power-cell plans to jointly conduct feasibility studies and application trials to promote the synergistic optimization of water-sealed hydrogen storage systems and green hydrogen production equipment, accelerating the engineering deployment of the full “production–storage–utilization” loop.

Going forward, Electro-power-cell Energy Tech will continue deepening collaborations with global hydrogen innovators, advancing forward-looking research on hydrogen storage system safety, cost-effectiveness, and integration. Together, we aim to build a more efficient, intelligent, and reliable green hydrogen ecosystem.