A hydrogen infrastructure is the infrastructure of hydrogen pipeline transport, points of hydrogen production and hydrogen stations (sometimes clustered as a hydrogen highway) for distribution as well as the sale of hydrogen fuel,[1] and thus a crucial prerequisite before a successful commercialization of automotive fuel cell technology.[2]

Network

Hydrogen highways

A hydrogen highway is a chain of hydrogen-equipped filling stations and other infrastructure along a road or highway which allow hydrogen vehicles to travel.

Hydrogen stations

Hydrogen stations which are not situated near a hydrogen pipeline get supply via hydrogen tanks, compressed hydrogen tube trailers, liquid hydrogen trailers, liquid hydrogen tank trucks or dedicated onsite production. Some firms as ITM Power are also providing solutions to make your own hydrogen (for use in the car) at home.[3] Government supported activities to expand an hydrogen fuel infrastructure are ongoing in the US state of California, in some member states of the European Union (most notably in Germany[2]) and in particular in Japan.

Hydrogen pipeline transport

Hydrogen pipeline transport is a transportation of hydrogen through a pipe as part of the hydrogen infrastructure. Hydrogen pipeline transport is used to connect the point of hydrogen production or delivery of hydrogen with the point of demand, pipeline transport costs are similar to CNG,[4] the technology is proven,[5] however most hydrogen is produced on the place of demand with every 50 to 100 miles (80 to 161 km) an industrial production facility.[6] As of 2004, there are 900 miles (1,448 km) of low pressure hydrogen pipelines in the US and 930 miles (1,497 km) in Europe.

Buffer for renewable energy

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory believes that US counties have the potential to produce more renewable hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles than the gasoline they consumed in 2002.[7]

As an energy buffer, hydrogen produced via water electrolysis and in combination with underground hydrogen storage or other large-scale storage technologies, could play an important role for the introduction of fluctuating renewable energy sources like wind or solar power.[2]

Hydrogen production plants

The most common method for hydrogen production is steam reforming, accounting for near 50% of the world's hydrogen production.[8] Methods such as electrolysis of water are also used. The world's largest facility for producing electrolytic hydrogen fuel is claimed[9] to be the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R), a 10MW-class hydrogen production unit, inaugurated on 7 March 2020, in Namie, Fukushima Prefecture.[10] The site occupies 180,000 square meters of land, much of which is occupied by a solar array; but power from the grid is also used to conduct electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen fuel.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Hydrogen infrastructure project launches in USA". 14 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Eberle, Ulrich; Mueller, Bernd; von Helmolt, Rittmar. "Fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure: status 2012". Energy & Environmental Science. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Running on home-brewed hydrogen
  4. ↑ Compressorless Hydrogen Transmission Pipelines Archived 10 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ DOE Hydrogen Pipeline Working Group Workshop
  6. ↑ Every 50 to 100 miles (80 to 161 km) Archived 20 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Milibrand, A. and Mann, M. “Potential for Hydrogen Production from Key Renewable Resources in the United States”. “National Renewable Energy Laboratory”, February 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  8. ↑ Dincer, Ibrahim; Acar, Canan (2015). "Review and evaluation of hydrogen production methods for better sustainability". International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 40 (34): 11096. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.12.035. ISSN 0360-3199.
  9. 1 2 "The world´s largest-class hydrogen production, Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) now is completed at Namie town in Fukushima". Toshiba Energy Press Releases. Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporations. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "Opening Ceremony of Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) Held with Prime Minister Abe and METI Minister Kajiyama". METI News Releases. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
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