Achieving gigawatt-scale green hydrogen production and seasonal storage at industrial locations across the U.S

Abstract

Onsite production of gigawatt-scale wind- and solar-sourced hydrogen (H₂) at industrial locations depends on the ability to store and deliver otherwise-curtailed H₂ during times of power shortages. Thousands of tonnes of H₂ will require storage in regions where subsurface storage is scarce, which may only be possible using liquid organic H₂ carriers. We evaluate aboveground system with a focus on providing technical insights into toluene/methylcyclohexane (TOL/MCH) storage systems in locations suitable for gigawatt-scale wind- and solar-powered electrolyzer systems in the United States. Here we show that the levelized cost of storage, at a national median of US dollar $1.84/kg-H₂ is spatially heterogeneous, causing minor impact on the cost of H₂ supply in the Midwest, and significant impact in Central California and the Southeast. While TOL/MCH may be the cheapest aboveground bulk storage solution evaluated, upfront capital costs, modest energy efficiency, reliance on critical materials and pre-sulfided catalysts, and greenhouse gas emissions from heating are opportunities for further development.