Hydrogen Storage

Hydrogen is seen as a major energy carrier for the future. A key precondition for the realisation of a hydrogen economy is the development of a hydrogen infrastructure, which, by definition includes the system needed to produce hydrogen, store it, and deliver it to its users. Considering the particular issue of hydrogen storage, all systems still need to be analysed in a comprehensive way. Unlike gasoline or diesel, easily handled liquids at ambient conditions, hydrogen is a lightweight gas and has the lowest volumetric energy density of any fuels at normal temperature and pressure. Therefore the most significant problem for hydrogen (in particular for on-board vehicles) is to store sufficient amounts of hydrogen. This report reviews the current technical and economic status of technologies for hydrogen storage and the likely areas for technical progress. Research efforts devoted to these issues worldwide are highlighted and options under development are discussed along with commercially available hydrogen storage technologies. Although all applications for hydrogen are addressed, emphasis is given more to the use of hydrogen in transport.