IRSM is the first Chinese institution involve in research for key problems of geomechanics related to underground energy storage, HLW (high level radioactive waste) deposit and CO2 underground storage. It also undertakes research of key technical problems in the first HLW deposit site and the first underground natural gas storages in China. Furthermore, it brings forward the concept of displacing coal-bed methane by injecting mixture gas in low permeability reservoir, carried out the in-situ experiment and validates the feasibility of the projects in Luan coal mine area. 

Research Center of Energy and Waste Underground Storage was founded in 2004 under the instruction of Lu Yongxiang, president of CAS. The Center conducts basic research on key scientific issues related to underground energy storage, high level radioactive waste deposit and CO2 underground storage. The center also develops safety assessment and monitoring technology for government decisions.

According to the its strategic planning of development, IRSM is setting “mechanical properties of geomaterials and its developing mechanism with the influence of engineering process under complex environment” as its long-term scientific plan, with the research theme of ‘Energy & Waste Underground Storage and environment safety’. Meanwhile, IRSM is focusing on Environment Measurement Technology of Geomaterials, the Mechanical Behavior of Geomaterials in Coupling Fields and Multiphase, Stability analyses theories and the Controlling Technology in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geohazard Forecast & Mitigation and Informatization in Geotechnical Engineering in the fields of underground energy storage, HLW deposit and CO2 underground storage