Subscribe our newsletter
Please Subscribe our news letter and get update.
Close
Hydrogen is the fuel of the future and a promising alternative to today’s fossil fuels. Proponents advocate that hydrogen fuel will play a key role in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement—reducing emissions by 45% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. Imagine a future where you will drive a car on the highway, overtaking buses, delivery vans, and supply trucks, all powered with clean hydrogen fuel.
While the hydrogen fuel cell market is brimming with potential, it’s important to be aware of the hurdles that are slowing its growth. These include:
Safe hydrogen storage presents one of the most significant hurdles inhibiting its widespread adoption. The challenges associated with hydrogen storage have led many companies and start-ups to seek a foothold in this burgeoning market. Let’s discuss the key players and emerging start-ups in the hydrogen storage market.
As the hydrogen economy develops, there are multiple storage ways based on the application and the desired characteristics of the storage system. Some common ways of storing hydrogen include:
Physical Hydrogen Storage
Material Hydrogen Storage (Solid State)
Each hydrogen storage method has its own advantages and challenges, making the choice of method dependent on specific applications and requirements. The ongoing research and advancements in these technologies will be crucial for optimizing hydrogen storage solutions. Let’s discuss these hydrogen storage market in detail and explore the key players and emerging start-ups.
Specially designed hydrogen tanks are the most commonly used method for hydrogen gas storage. These specially designed hydrogen cylinders are capable of withstanding operating pressure of 200 to 1000 bar. They are typically made from aluminium, steel, or other materials to withstand high operating pressure and resist corrosion.
| Operating Pressure (bar) | Inner Layer | Outer Layer | Capacity | Use Case | |
| Type 1 | 200 to 300 | Steel | Steel | Up to 15g/liter | Industrial applications |
| Type 2 | 100 to 500 | Steel or Aluminum | GFRP Layer | Up to 20g/liter | Industrial applications |
| Type 3 | up to 350 | Steel or Aluminum | CFRP Layer | Up to 20g/liter | Vehicles |
| Type 4 | up to 875 bar | Polymer liner | Full fiber reinforced plastic | Up to 40g/liter | Passenger & heavy-duty commercial vehicle |
Located in Claremont, Australia, the company has been focused on developing hydrogen storage solutions for an efficient and sustainable hydrogen supply chain. Recently, it began fabricating a prototype compressed hydrogen tank. The proprietary tank design utilizes carbon steel plates and an inner liner to propel the company’s development efforts of hydrogen-carrying vessel hydrogen-carrying vessel design. (March 24, 2024)
Founded in 2017, the US-based company has been involved in developing a safe and lightweight compressed gas storage system for hydrogen, nitrogen, natural gas, oxygen, and air. In 2023, its conformable pressure vessels with new materials passed the HGV2 standard test. The new tank can withstand the working pressure of 350 bar (5,000 psi), is lightweight, and less than 80mm (3.1in) wide. (July 05, 2023)
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded the Nobel Gas $500,000 prize in the Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) initiative for a conformable, compressed gas storage system. (April 15, 2024)
Liquid hydrogen storage stores hydrogen by cooling it to extremely low temperatures, below its boiling point of -252.8°C (-423°F) at atmospheric pressure. This process increases hydrogen’s density, allowing for more compact storage than compressed gas storage.
A French multinational company, Air Liquide is one of the world’s largest suppliers of industrial gases for various industries, including healthcare, chemicals, and energy. Since 1970, it has specialized in producing hydrogen from water disintegration using an electrolysis process.
In 2021, they completed the construction of the world’s largest Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyzer, which now produces up to 8.2 tonnes per day of low-carbon hydrogen in Bécancour, Québec.
Recent Developments
First Graphene Ltd. is a leading supplier of high-performance graphene products, recognized for its innovative manufacturing processes and significant production capacity.
Recently, the company announced cross-sector participation titled HyPStore to develop and commercialize innovative lightweight, impermeable cryogenic all-composite (Type-V) tanks to store liquid hydrogen safely. The total project costs around $3.72 million and is partially funded by the UK-Australia Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnership Programme (RHIPP). The project will commence in July 2024. (July 23, 2024)
3M Company is an American multinational conglomerate actively involved in the hydrogen market. The company focuses mainly on innovative materials and technologies to enhance the efficiency and safety of hydrogen storage solutions.
Recently, the company signed a joint research project with HD Hyundai Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (KSOE) to develop a high-performance vacuum insulation system for liquefied hydrogen storage and transportation. The new liquid hydrogen storage tanks will use Glass Bubbles – a high-strength, low-density hollow glass microsphere from 3M. (March 07, 2024)
The New Zealand based company provides a wide range of customized liquid hydrogen storage systems. The company holds proprietary triple-skin liquid hydrogen tank technology and boil-off gas management technology for maximizing hydrogen storage and enhanced thermal insulation.
Recently, the company signed an agreement with Toyota to supply its liquid storage technology. The cleverly designed solution can support end-to-end hydrogen production and refuelling systems. So far, the system has proved effective where it has been used, such as with companies specializing in aviation, heavy transport, and industry. (June 14, 2024)
Cryo hydrogen storage refers to the method of storing hydrogen in its liquid form at cryogenic temperatures, typically around -253°C (-423°F). This storage technique is essential for maximizing the energy density of hydrogen, allowing for more compact storage compared to gaseous forms.
Started in 2020, the cleantech start-up has been working on providing hydrogen storage solutions for the heavy transport sector. Recently, the company received funding of $15.5 million from Trucks Venture Capital with participation from existing investors Collaborative Fund and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, and new investors United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund and Newlab. The company will utilize this new funding to accelerate its cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) technology for heavy-duty vehicles. (April 18, 2024)
The company filed a patent titled “A system and method for managing a cryo-compressed state of hydrogen fuel” on May 30, 2024. The newly filed patent outlines a comprehensive system comprised of a compressor, a cooling system, and a storage mechanism for managing hydrogen fuel in the cryo-compressed state. (June 11, 2024)
Headquartered in Taufkirchen, Germany, Cryotmotive is the fastest-growing tech start up that focuses on hydrogen storage and refuelling solutions for the transportation sector. The company is working on its proprietary CRYOGAS technology to build cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) pressure vessels with a density of 72 grams per litre or more and offer a range of 1,000 kilometres per tank.
Recently (May 08, 2024), the company revealed its high-density cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) storage using an inner tank wrapped with carbon fibre/epoxy towpreg. The CcH2 CRYOGAS single-tank storage system:
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is a concept that involves the large-scale and long-term storage of hydrogen. This is achieved by injecting the hydrogen into geologic formations such as aquifers, salt caverns, salt domes, and depleted oil and gas fields.
Founded in 1965, Geostock is a French engineering company that is part of the Vinci Construction group. With its 50 years of experience, Geostock specializes in underground storage of liquid, liquefied, and gaseous hydrocarbons, hydrogen, compressed air, and others.
Recently, the company entered into a partnership with Air Liquide to develop an underground storage solution. This new partnership aims to replace fossil fuels with decarbonized energies, especially for industry and mobility. With this, the company raised its hydrogen storage per site from 150 tons to 300 tons for gaseous hydrogen. (June 26, 2024)
Marine Current Turbines owners Peter Fraenkel MBE and Martin Wright founded Gravitricity in 2011. The company has successfully developed H2FlexiStore technology for safely and efficiently storing pressurized hydrogen gas.
Recently, after securing Ofgem funding, National Gas plans to use
Gravitricity’s H2FlexiStore system for underground storage of up to 100 tonnes of pressurized hydrogen. (March 12, 2024)
The metal hydride hydrogen storage method uses compounds that absorb and release hydrogen under certain temperatures and pressures. It offers safe and cost-effective storage for hydrogen-powered vehicles and devices.
GKN Hydrogen is a company specializing in advanced hydrogen storage solutions, focusing on safety, efficiency, and compact design. Focusing on metal hydride hydrogen storage technology, the company aims to build 100% recyclable products that offer safe and reliable hydrogen energy storage for longer durations.
The partnership focuses on the following:
Founded in 1986, the India-based company manufactures electric scooters, cars, buses, and other electric vehicles. Recently, they entered into a joint venture with Hydrogen Horizons Ltd (HHL) (Registered in the United Kingdom) and Hydrogen Horizons Israel Ltd (HHIL) to develop and manufacture a patented hydrogen vessel. The inside wall of the hydrogen tank is made from a uniquely bonded hydride core with properties like rapid release and intake of hydrogen gas. (February 28, 2024)
Founded in 1918, the Japanese multinational corporation operates in four major business verticals: Chemicals, Cement, Life Science, and Electronics & Specialty Materials.
Recently, the company started the mass production of a magnesium hydride hydrogen carrier that can provide twice as much as hydrogen originally stored. As per resources, the company plans to produce 30 tonnes of magnesium hydride annually to produce 4.56 tonnes of H2 per year. (April 09, 2024)
Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC) are a promising hydrogen storage technology in which organic compounds like toluene and methyl cyclohexane (MCH) absorb and release hydrogen through chemical reactions. The chemical reaction is less toxic, stable, and easy to handle.
Headquartered in Haryana, India, ACME Group is a leading global sustainable and renewable energy company. Recently, the company signed an MOU with the German firm Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies. The joint venture will work together on long-term storage and transportation of hydrogen from Oman to Europe using the innovative LOHC technology. Hydrogenious’ LOHC technology provides safe and cost-effective transportation of green hydrogen using existing liquid fuel infrastructure. (April 08, 2024)
Founded in 1927, the Spanish multinational company is Europe’s leading liquid product transportation and storage company. Recently, it secured more than half a million pounds in funding from the UK government. The company has launched a demonstration project at its Immingham terminal (UK) that has secured more than half a million pounds in funding from the UK Government to carry out testing for transport and storing commercial-scale volumes of hydrogen.
Exolum will become the first company to use repurposed oil pipelines and tanks for physically transporting and storing hydrogen through Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) on a commercial scale. (March 08, 2024)
Hydrogen holds the key to our sustainable future. It will be interesting to see the innovation and growth in hydrogen storage and how it influences the energy storage sector. If you are interested in in-depth hydrogen storage market insights, we’ve got a comprehensive report for you. Get in touch with our subject matter experts today!