[ storage ]
electrolysis . Electricity availability and price can fluctuate drastically . To overcome issues due to variability , producers can store hydrogen to optimize their electricity mix and thus improve the competitiveness of hydrogen production , or at least offer stable output .
Midstream , hydrogen storage can be required in the transport and distribution phases to meet demands for heavy mobility , for example . At hydrogen refueling stations , buffer storage is needed to ensure the availability of compressed hydrogen for refueling and to adapt to variations in refueling demand .
Downstream , end users in industries such as shipping , steelmaking , and ammonia production require a reliable supply of hydrogen . For an ammonia producer , for instance , halting production due to an insufficient hydrogen supply is unthinkable . It would result in a significant cost impact and could take hours , if not days , to restart production . A buffer stream of hydrogen is essential to meet peaks and valleys in production .
The need to balance intermittent production with steady supply therefore demands significant hydrogen storage capacity .
Specific challenges for hydrogen storage
Several challenges create barriers to implementing hydrogen storage infrastructure . Safety is top of mind .
Hydrogen is a difficult gas to contain , with a high propensity to leak . It can also affect steel materials – a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement , whereby the absorbed hydrogen reduces metal ductility and results in cracking . This calls for appropriate metallurgies and tight systems .
Hydrogen is also a highly flammable and explosive gas , leading to concerns about storage safety . The European Union , UK , and many other countries have very stringent safety regulations in place for hydrogen storage . The EU SEVESO directive , for instance , starts at 5 metric tons of hydrogen storage . With this in mind , safety and compliance are top priorities for hydrogen producers and users .
The need to balance intermittent production with steady supply demands significant hydrogen storage capacity .
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 17 | August 2024 17