Abstract:
With the rapid development of the hydrogen energy industry, large-scale, long-duration hydrogen storage has become a key enabler for achieving energy transition and a critical technical bottleneck that requires immediate resolution. Geological hydrogen storage has garnered significant attention due to its advantages of large-scale capacity, low cost, and high safety, but its successful implementation is highly dependent on precise detection of geological conditions. Aiming to address challenges such as complex geological conditions, diverse filled mediums, and difficulties in precise characterization within the complex cavern group, a comprehensive evaluation of the applicability of geological condition detection technologies for hydrogen storage reservoir is conducted. By systematically analyzing the principles, key parameters, advantages, and limitations of methods such as geological radar, 3D seismic, electromagnetic exploration, drilling, and borehole television, a multi-method integrated detection technology is proposed. Considering the significant differences in geological conditions and structural design between salt caverns and rock caverns, differentiated multi-method integrated geophysical exploration strategies are proposed. For salt cavern storage, a combined “geophysical exploration–drilling” approach is developed based on cross-gradient joint inversion and prior information constraints. For rock cavern storage, a “surface–borehole integrated” exploration method is proposed by incorporating surface boundary physical property alignment constraints and borehole-derived prior information. Based on engineering practices from China's Daye rock caverns and Pingdingshan salt caverns hydrogen storage reservoir, this study confirms the engineering applicability and reliability of multi-technology integration under complex geological conditions. It demonstrates that a detection strategy combining multi-technology integration and multi-scale verification is crucial for achieving scientific site selection and safe construction of hydrogen storage reservoirs. This work provides critical technical references and practical foundations for the development of large-scale underground hydrogen storage facilities in China.