Materials for hydrogen-based energy storage – past, recent progress and future outlook

TLDR

Renewable energy expansion has spurred research into storage solutions, with hydrogen emerging as a clean, efficient vector for energy storage and a focus of recent studies on diverse storage methods and future prospects. The review aims to survey the past six years of progress in hydrogen storage materials, methods, and techniques, including electrochemical and thermal systems. It examines porous materials, liquid carriers, complex and intermetallic hydrides, electrochemical and thermal storage systems, and outlines future research directions in hydrogen-based energy storage.

Abstract

Globally, the accelerating use of renewable energy sources, enabled by increased efficiencies and reduced costs, and driven by the need to mitigate the effects of climate change, has significantly increased research in the areas of renewable energy production, storage, distribution and end-use. Central to this discussion is the use of hydrogen, as a clean, efficient energy vector for energy storage. This review, by experts of Task 32, “Hydrogen-based Energy Storage” of the International Energy Agency, Hydrogen TCP, reports on the development over the last 6 years of hydrogen storage materials, methods and techniques, including electrochemical and thermal storage systems. An overview is given on the background to the various methods, the current state of development and the future prospects. The following areas are covered; porous materials, liquid hydrogen carriers, complex hydrides, intermetallic hydrides, electrochemical storage of energy, thermal energy storage, hydrogen energy systems and an outlook is presented for future prospects and research on hydrogen-based energy storage.