Multi-scale nonlinear modeling of subsurface energy storage: Cyclic loading with inelastic creep deformation

K. Ramesh Kumar*, H. Hajibeygi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Subsurface geological formations provide giant capacities for large-scale (TWh) storage of renewable energy, once this energy (e.g. from solar and wind power plants) is converted to green gas (e.g. hydrogen and green methane), pressurised or hot fluids. The key aspects of successful development of this technology include estimation of safety and storage capacity for a given formation. Formations are often highly heterogeneous, with complex (nonlinear) transport and material physics. In this work, we present a computational framework for cyclic loading of rock specimens to estimate deformation under nonlinear creep behaviour. Classical creep and relaxation creep are the two methodologies which are modeled to analyse the variation of total strain in the specimen over time. Algebraic multi-scale finite element formulation is then implemented to provide a field-scale relevant computational framework for these nonlinear time-dependent systems. This study indicates that the nonlinear deformation is quite an important aspect of cyclic energy storage in the subsurface formation, and that the proposed multi-scale simulation can provide a field-scale simulation approach to consider this important physics for safety and reliability of the storage projects.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationECMOR 2020
Subtitle of host publication17th European Conference on the Mathematics of Oil Recovery
PublisherEAGE
Pages1-13
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9789462823426
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Event17th European Conference on the Mathematics of Oil Recovery, ECMOR 2020 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 14 Sept 202017 Sept 2020

Conference

Conference17th European Conference on the Mathematics of Oil Recovery, ECMOR 2020
CityVirtual, Online
Period14/09/2017/09/20

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