{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/FT250100595"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"FT250100595","attributes":{"code":"FT250100595","administering-organisation":"The University of Melbourne","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Melbourne","scheme-name":"ARC Future Fellowships","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2025,"years-funded":4,"project-start-date":"2026-06-01","anticipated-end-date":"2030-05-31","grant-summary":"Unlocking Hydrogen Storage Potential in Australian Depleted Gas Reservoirs. Hydrogen (H2) is a key element of the world's energy transition. Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in depleted gas reservoirs (DGR) can make a significant contribution to achieving the required storage capacity in Australia for a fully developed H2 industry (over 5 million tonnes). This project aims to generate new knowledge regarding the mechanical stability of DGRs and their caprock during UHS and identify environmental/safety risks in this poorly understood technology. Expected outcomes include a comprehensive geomechanical model and guidelines for risk-controlled UHS. These will offer a safe operational protocol for the industry and encourage investment in UHS projects, assisting Australia's transition to a renewable energy future.","funding-current":1155873.00,"funding-at-announcement":1131404,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Samintha","familyName":"Perera","roleName":"Future Fellowship","roleCode":"FT","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-6784-0544 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Samintha","familyName":"Perera","roleName":"Future Fellowship","roleCode":"FT","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-6784-0544 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Melbourne","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"VIC"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Melbourne","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"VIC"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"400502","name":"Civil Geotechnical Engineering","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4019","name":"Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"401902","name":"Geomechanics and Resources Geotechnical Engineering","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"170308","name":"Hydrogen Storage","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"190301","name":"Climate Change Mitigation Strategies","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280110","name":"Expanding Knowledge In Engineering","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["England","United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Hydrogen (H2) will play a key role in decarbonising the Australian economy. Meeting our future H2 demand requires over 5 million tonnes of storage capacity. This cannot be achieved without underground hydrogen storage, over 10 times cheaper than surface storage when handling such quantities. Depleted gas reservoirs are widely available in Australia offering the potential for storing H2 safely. Yet, the geomechanical hazards of these gas reservoirs are not understood. Hazards include strength degradation of storage-reservoir rock and seal (caprock) by geochemical interactions, associated multiple cracking mechanisms, fault reactivation, and other issues. This project will investigate these hazards and propose a safe operational protocol for Australian underground hydrogen storage projects as new guidelines. The research has economic, commercial, and environmental benefits to Australia. The government's Hydrogen Headstart program is targeted to generate over $50 billion by 2050 through H2 production for export and domestic use. The proposed safe operational protocol will be applied to Victoria's first underground hydrogen storage project, H2RESTORE, and presented as an Australian standard for broader use. Thus, the research will offer assurance and promote industrial and government investments in large-scale underground hydrogen storage projects, providing commercial opportunities. Environmentally, green hydrogen will support Australia's transition to net zero carbon by 2050."}}}