SAFE-T – Salt As the Future of Energy Transition. Is Romanian salt an option for storing hydrogen, other resources or waste?

Aerial view of the Mânzălești salt diapir and Meledic plateau (for more info, see Tămaș et al. 2021).

Early Career project financed by UEFISCDI – PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-0402

Project manager: Dr. Dan Mircea TĂMAȘ (danmircea.tamas@ubbcluj.ro)

Team members:

  • Dr. Alexandra TĂMAȘ
  • Dr. Anca AVRAM
  • Dr. Cristian Victor MIRCESCU

Duration of the project: 03.01.2025-31.12.2026

Abstract: The global climate will be strongly affected unless we can improve our energy sector in almost every respect. In light of this recent challenge humanity faces, one of the solutions is a transition from fossil fuels to a more sustainable strategy. The research project (SAFE-T – Salt As the Future of Energy Transition. Is Romanian salt an option for storing hydrogen, other resources or waste?) focuses on possible applications of salt storage in energy transition applications, such as energy storage as hydrogen or compressed air in salt caverns, CO2 storage in near-salt structures, geothermal energy or storage of nuclear waste. The project aims to assess and understand a series of risks related to salt-related storage projects in the Romanian Carpathians. The objectives are to determine the distribution, origin and effects of heterogeneities and shear zones on salt deformation and to understand the Quaternary to recent movements and displacement rates within the salt bodies. A team of early career scientists with a wide variety of skills will tackle this topic using multiple research methods: field-based mapping, UAV-based mapping, salt microstructural analysis and inclusions analysis for determining lithology and source area, and, various methods to quantify and understand recent uplift/subsidence rates of salt structures. The results of this project are expected to push forward our understanding regarding the internal deformation of salt structures and the implications for salt storage applications.

Project results (executive summary): will be updated as the project evolves

List of publications:

  • Tămaș, D.M., Tămaș, A., Hajdas, I., Sava, G.O., Poncos, V., Teleaga, D. 2025. Quaternary to recent uplift ratesof salt diapirs in the RomanianCarpathians determined fromradiocarbon dating and PSInSARdata. Scientific Reports, 15(1), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08293-8

List of conference presentations:

  • Tamas, D.M., Tamas. A., Hajdas, I. 2025. Radiocarbon Dating and InSAR Mapping of Quaternary Salt Diapir Uplift in the Romanian Eastern Carpathians. 1st SaltAges conference, 31 Mar – 4 Apr 2025, Krakow, Poland.
  • Tamas, D.M., Palcu, D.V., Tamas, A. 2025. Salt Formations in Romania and the Salt Ages COST project. EUsalt Annual Conference 2025, 10-13 June, Bucharest, Romania.
  • Tamas, D.M., Tamas. A., Hajdas, I. 2025. Quaternary Salt Diapir Uplift in the Romanian Eastern Carpathians: Insights from Radiocarbon Dating and InSAR-Based Mapping. AAPG’s 2025 International Conference and Exhibition (ICE), 30 Sep – 3 Oct 2025, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.