Hydrogen Storage Processes and Technologies

Abstract

Hydrogen storage is a significant challenge for the development and viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Onboard hydrogen storage in the range of approximately 5--13 kg is required to enable a driving range of greater than 300 miles for the full platform of light-duty automotive vehicles using fuel cell power plants. In addition to production and distribution, costs are associated with hydrogen storage. Little public information is available on the cost of bulk gas storage, meaning a significant error margin exists for the assumptions on storage costs given in this chapter. Hydrogen storage is a key enabling technology for the advancement of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in applications such as stationary power, portable power, and transportation. Hydrogen has the highest energy per mass of any fuel; however, its low ambient temperature density results in a low energy per unit volume, requiring the development of advanced storage methods that have the potential for higher energy density.