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Hydrogen storage remains a key challenge for advancing the hydrogen economy. While current technologies, such as high-pressure gas and cryogenic liquid storage, have served various applications, they face limitations in cost, volumetric and gravimetric efficiencies, and jurisdictional restrictions related to safety. Solid-state hydrogen storage using reticular materials, such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), offers a promising alternative at low pressures and ambient temperatures without compromising storage capacity. This article explores how hydrogen storage based on reticular materials compares to conventional methods and examines its potential to revolutionize the hydrogen value chain.

The steel industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental impact. A critical step in decarbonizing steel lies in removing fossil fuels across all stages of production. In September 2023, Swedish steel manufacturer Ovako opened the world’s first plant to produce fossil-free hydrogen for heating steel before rolling. This is a significant step in helping the company meet its ambitious targets for a sustainable future.

Greene Tweed, a family-owned company with origins dating back to 1863, has consistently demonstrated leadership in advanced materials and high-performance solutions across diverse industries. Headquartered in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, U.S., Greene Tweed specializes in designing and manufacturing high-performance elastomers, composites, and engineered components that tackle some of the most demanding challenges in hydrogen applications and beyond. With a steadfast commitment to innovation, the company is well-positioned to drive technological advancements that support the global transition to clean energy.

Global electricity demand is projected to grow substantially, with the economies of India and China seeing the greatest increases. Many factors come into play, including the proliferation of electric vehicles, data center expansions driven by artificial intelligence, the conversion to highly efficient heat pumps for heating, and the overall transition to decarbonize.

The H-Battery represents a breakthrough in renewable energy storage, building on the alkaline fuel cell (AFC) technology previously used on NASA’s Apollo and Columbia missions. Despite its initial success, AFC has been largely forgotten in terrestrial applications due to its sensitivity to CO₂, which compromises its performance on Earth. ShipTown has now pioneered a solution that overcomes this limitation, allowing the AFC to tolerate CO₂ contamination. Additionally, the H-Battery is a reversible system that functions as both a fuel cell and an electrolysis cell, with a combined round-trip efficiency of around 50%.

One of the key applications of green hydrogen is in the production of green ammonia, which can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of nitrogen-based fertilizers. By integrating advanced technologies such as Stamicarbon’s NX STAMI Green Ammonia™ process, small- to medium-scale plants can efficiently produce ammonia while lowering emissions. This shift offers an opportunity to decarbonize fertilizer production, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices and helping meet the growing global demand for food in an environmentally responsible way.

In this exclusive interview, Hydrogen Tech World speaks with Sebastian Surie, Head of Green Hydrogen at Climate Fund Managers (CFM), and Willem Frens, Technical Advisor and Project Developer on hydrogen derivatives. Together, they provide insights into the opportunities and challenges of green hydrogen development in emerging markets, the role of blended finance, and how strategic partnerships can drive the energy transition.

As the demand for fuel cell efficiency increases, improving fuel cell performance becomes crucial for competing with alternative energy sources. This enhancement involves optimising both the design and materials used in fuel cell components, particularly in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), while also reducing material waste.

As the world accelerates its transition to a renewable and low-carbon future, hydrogen, along with its derivatives, is emerging as a critical component for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and possibly contributing to decarbonized energy security through seasonal energy storage in the long term. Recognized for its clean-burning properties and potential to decarbonize sectors that are challenging to electrify, low-emission hydrogen is poised to play an important role in the global energy mix, offering emission reductions within various industries such as refining, chemicals, and synthetic fuels. However, hydrogen also presents unique safety challenges that must be meticulously managed. This article delves into the critical aspects of hydrogen safety, exploring its inherent risks, the barriers to safe adoption, and the evolving regulatory landscape that aims to safeguard this emerging industry.