Large Scale Safe Hydrogen Storage - the Missing Link to a Green Hydrogen Future

For the hydrogen industry to flourish it is essential that safety in construction and operation is demonstrated and the community is convinced that hydrogen can provide a safe, reliable and clean option for our energy needs. Large scale hydrogen storage is essential to buffer intermittent renewable energy production to satisfy continuous process demand. Storing large amounts of compressed hydrogen gas presents significant safety and social responsibility challenges. Case study based, this paper discusses options for energy storage required to convert an ammonia plant that currently uses steam methane reforming to renewable electricity based hydrogen production.

The paper reviews alternative compressed hydrogen storage systems required to store 54 tonnes of hydrogen at 220 bar and compares risk profiles of the proposed aboveground composite pressure vessels and an alternative underground solution. Reviewing the causes of recent hydrogen storage and general pressure vessel incidents the paper compares and contrasts the risks associated with the 1000's of collocated pressure vessels required V's a single underground lined storage tank. The presentation highlights the basis of the safety in design principles predominately achieved by locating the hydrogen storage deep underground in the absence of air / oxygen that eliminates the most prolific causes of incidents associated with pressure vessels, demonstrating an engineered solution that removes risk to people and property. In addition to safety in construction and operation benefits, social, environmental and commercial aspects are also considered that contribute to lower the levelised cost of hydrogen and provide positive tangible outcomes for the environment and community.