2 ms·
Storing large volumes of hydrogen is very difficult.
by fmajid 7y ago
Storing large volumes of hydrogen is very difficult.
- mavhc 7y agoSeems like they're storing it in the gas network, does that not scale? There's enough energy in the gas network today to power the world for a few days, seems like a great way to store excess renewable power.
- the8472 7y agoThey are mixing it into the natural gas in low amounts. High concentrations of hydrogen tend to diffuse through and embrittle many structural metals used in gas pipelines. Salt domes (commonly used to store large amounts of natural gas) might also be useful for hydrogen storage but would need to have their plumbing replaced.
- mavhc 7y agoSo you'd need a new method of storage, but the scale seems decent enough. Or could you use spare electricity to generate larger molecules?
- Baeocystin 7y agoNot true. Stick them to a carbon-based backbone and they become energy dense and easily-transported liquids at standard pressures and temperatures. The resulting chemicals are able to take advantage of massive existing infrastructure, too. (This may sound somewhat on-the-nose, but one of the biggest lessons 'hydrogen-gas-is-the-future' hype has to teach is just how useful hydrocarbons are compared to any other method of chemical hydrogen use.)