Geology of selected salt domes in Poland and their ability for construction of hydrogen storage caverns

Underground hydrogen gas storage might be the alternative energy supplier. Filled-up during energy surplus could be utilized during energy shortage by combustion in special installations. Salt caverns within the salt domes are being considered as one of the optimal places for such energy storage. Caverns within the domes of Zechstein salts that intruded into the surrounding Mesozoic strata of the Polish Lowlands are among the most effective underground storages. Seven out of 27 analyzed salt domes have been recommended for hydrogen storage construction based on the geological parameters (i.e. minimum thickness of the salt body should be about 1 km and its top at a depth less than 1 km). The best structures are the Rogóźno and Damasławek domes and two twin-forms – the Lubień and Łanięta domes of equal usefulness. Less perspective structures, based on the present geological knowledge, are the Goleniów and Izbica Kujawska domes. The latter would still require basic geological work. The last analyzed structure, the Dębina dome, located in the centre of the active lignite open-pit “Bełchatów”, has been excluded from future consideration. These salt domes are also suitable for the storage of other gases, i.e. natural gas and air, as their storage requires similar geological setting.