Hydrogen Storage : Implications For Sustainability

Hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution for clean and sustainable energy sources due to its high energy density and clean-burning properties. Hydrogen does not produce harmful emissions when burned which makes it lucrative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing demand for green hydrogen to comply with stringent environmental regulations is propelling the advancement in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation technologies.

The growth of the hydrogen gas industry depends upon safe and efficient storage and robust delivery techniques. Hydrogen can be stored in the following ways:

• High-pressure gas cylinders (up to 800 bars)
• Liquid hydrogen in cryogenic tanks (–253 °C)
• Physi-sorbed hydrogen on materials with a large surface area
• Chemi-sorbed in host metals and intermetallic compounds
• Chemically bonded in covalent and ionic compounds
• Oxidation of reactive metals such as sodium, aluminum, zinc, and magnesium

Among the aforementioned, high-pressure gas cylinders and liquid cryogenic tank methods (physical method, when combined) are widely used because of their safe storage ability and reliable operation. Chemi-sorbed hydrogen on materials (also known as metal hydrides or solid storage or material-based storage) is a technique in which hydrogen gas is absorbed on intermetallic hydrides, such as AB5 (LaNi₅), AB2 (ZrV₂), and A2B (MgNi₂), as these metals have the highest volumetric and gravimetric efficiencies. This adsorbed hydrogen on the metal can be released on demand. However, this storage method is still in its nascent stage. Some of the companies in the metal hydride storage tank market (material-based hydrogen storage tank market) are McPhy (France) and HBank (Taiwan). These companies have developed small-volume hydrogen storage cylinders of AB5-type alloys, which can power small fuel cells as backup power units for hybrid or hydrogen-powered cars. The metal hydride storage tank market is at the initial stage; however, it can have good growth potential if some lightweight metal hydrides made of innovative alloys are introduced.

The physical form of storage or physical storage, including gaseous and liquid forms of hydrogen, is expected to witness the fastest growth compared to other storage methods due to the strong demand for tanks from transportation applications. Captive hydrogen-producing plants for oil refineries located near the client locations cannot satisfy the demand for hydrogen because of poor-quality crude. Moreover, the increasing demand for hydrogen in stationary applications such as buffer tanks for use in a hydrogen production plant is driving the demand for hydrogen storage.

EUROPE TO LEAD HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY 2035

Globally, governments, companies, and researchers are continuously exploring new technologies and applications to harness the potential of hydrogen and transition to a low-carbon economy. Many countries such as Japan, US, Australia, and South Korea have created national hydrogen strategies that focuses on goals and funding of the deployment and development of hydrogen storage technologies like hydrogen tanks. Further, government initiatives along with various investments for R&D are focusing on promoting the use of hydrogen as a sustainable and clean energy source.

Source: IEA and MarketsandMarkets Analysis

Europe is set to become the global leader in hydrogen production in the next 10 years on back of many invetemnet programs and government initiatives driving Europe’s hydrogen economy. For instance, the Horizon 2020 program of the European Union is investing around USD 84 billion in the innovation and research related to hydrogen technologies. The hydrogen strategy of European Union is aiming towards the installation of minimum 40GW of electrolyzers by 2030 in the Europe that would produce green hydrogen. The increased production of green hydrogen would provide an opportunity for automotive industry to embrace hydrogen powered vehicles on a large-scale, thereby boosting the market for hydrogen storage technologies.

In July 2021, the European Commission (EU) proposed the first installment of its "Fit for 55" package, to reduce EU2 carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This target paves the way for the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 by increasing renewable energy consumption and thereby hydrogen production. Fuel cells are expected to witness rapid adoption in this region due to an increasing number of fuel cell projects and government initiatives for their implementation. The region has also been a pioneer in commercializing fuel cell trains. The fuel cells and hydrogen joint undertaking initiative is Europe's primary body for funding R&D in fuel cells and hydrogen technologies. According to the IEA's published strategic vision for a climate-neutral EU, Europe has the world's second-highest concentration of hydrogen refueling stations. Several European countries, as well as the European Union, have set hydrogen and fuel cell targets. The European Green Deal, for example, includes a plan to increase resource efficiency by transitioning to a clean, circular economy, restoring biodiversity, and reducing pollution to achieve net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The EU Hydrogen Strategy establishes a three-phased approach to developing renewable hydrogen, which can aid in decarbonizing several sectors across Europe as part of an integrated energy system. By 2025, it plans to have 747 hydrogen refueling stations in Europe. According to the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking's Hydrogen Roadmap Europe, by 2030, FCEVs could account for one in every 22 passenger vehicles (3.7 million total fleet); one in every 12 light commercial vehicles (500,000 total fleets); 45,000 trucks and buses, 570 trains, and 3,700 hydrogen fueling stations in Europe. Under ideal conditions, Europe will have 45 million hydrogen-powered passenger cars, 6.5 million LCVs, 1.7 million trucks, and 250,000 buses by 2050.

Among the prominent hydrogen storage tank manufacturers in the region are NPROXX, Plastic Omnium, Worthington Industries, and Air Liquide. As a result, the region is expected to produce large amount of hydrogen and has a significant potential to drive the hydrogen storage market over the next decade.

SOUTH KOREA HAS HIGH DEMAND FOR ON-BOARD TYPE 4 HYDROGEN STORAGE TANKS

According to IEA, the stock of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) increased by 40% in 2022 compared to 2021, reaching over 72 000 vehicles globally. Around 80% of the FCEVs are small passenger cars, 10% trucks and almost 10% buses. South Korea is leading the race in FCEVs adoption and is home to over half of all fuel cell cars globally. More than 60% of hydrogen-fueled cars hit the road in 2022 were in South Korea. The growth of FCEVs driven by hydrogen fuel is the major factor driving the demand for on-board type 4 hydrogen storage tanks in the country.

HIGH COST: CHALLENGE FOR HYDROGEN STORAGE

Composite hydrogen storage technologies are expensive owing to high price of raw materials and high expenditure required during the manufacturing process, resulting in decreased scale economies. Therefore, cost-effective design and production technology are desired to achieve overall economies of scale. Carbon and glass fiber are highly capital-intensive and require approval by a regulatory body or an independent inspection authority. Thus, many potential players are not motivated to enter the market due to the high entry cost. The identification and definition of low-cost technologies for the commercial production of low-cost carbon and glass fiber composites are crucial for manufacturers worldwide.

In addition, the limited availability of inexpensive hydrogen stations in areas where vehicles are deployed remains a major challenge to the widespread adoption of hydrogen energy storage systems. To overcome this challenge, governments and private companies should deploy public–private partnership. Further, various incentive programs, should be awarded to clusters of cities to encourage adoption of FCEVs.

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