Peter Eichhubl, Senior Research Scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin

Speaker Biography:

Peter Eichhubl's research combines the fields of fault and fracture mechanics and low-temperature geochemistry addressing deformation mechanisms of the upper crust, structural control of mass and heat transfer in sedimentary basins, effects of chemical mass transfer on the mechanical and hydraulic behavior of fractures and faults, and the chemical interaction between fluids and minerals. Dr. Eichhubl's research is of applied interest to geothermal and fossil energy resources and underground storage of hydrogen and CO2. Fundamental aspects of the research have implications for the seismic and aseismic deformation of the Earth's upper crust and for the interaction of subsurface fluids with the atmosphere and biosphere.

Abstract:

Hydrogen provides a low-carbon alternative to currently used carbon-intensive fuels for electric power generation, transportation, and industrial applications. Although naturally occurring as limited gas accumulations, hydrogen is considered an energy carrier to be generated through primary energy sources including solar, wind, or hydro power, nuclear energy, or from natural gas with or without carbon capture and storage. Similar to natural gas, hydrogen can be transported via pipeline and trucks, and stored in tanks and in subsurface storage facilities. For seasonal and longer-term strategic energy storage, hydrogen may offer the sole low-carbon alternative to currently practiced natural gas and petroleum storage. In this presentation, I will provide an overview over the current state of subsurface hydrogen storage, existing technology and knowledge gaps, and research needs, with an emphasis on research conducted at UT Austin.

About the UT Energy Symposium:

The UT Energy Symposium is a weekly guest lecture series that is both free and open to the public and available for course credit.

In an effort to provide a multi-disciplinary platform for UT faculty and students to interact on the most pressing energy issues facing our world, the Energy Institute sponsors the UT Energy Symposium (UTES), which will enter its 24th semester in spring 2023. 

The UTES serves as a “convener” for the campus community, uniting students interested in energy issues with faculty and others working on sustainable energy security. Students who register for the symposium receive one credit hour for the 15-week seminar course, which is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Ongoing themes for UTES include climate change policy, innovation and diffusion of energy technologies, low-carbon technology options and status, and behavioral aspects of energy consumption.

Each UTES talk will be recorded and posted on this page and on the Energy Institute YouTube channel following the event.