"We compared the use of metal hydride storage with compressed and liquified hydrogen storage using multi-criteria decision analysis on the basis of techno-economic key figures to evaluate their site-specific integration," summarizes Lars Paschke from Fraunhofer UMSICHT. "We also looked at safety and approval aspects and weighted all criteria based on the preferences and requirements of Duisburger Hafen AG as a potential operator of the technology at the port." The result: an initial assessment of the potential integration of the storage technology.

Advantages and obstacles of hydrogen storage in metal hydrides

For the setting at the port of Duisburg, metal hydride storage systems have advantages, but also obstacles. "If the storage facility is damaged, for example, only a small amount of gaseous hydrogen can escape – in contrast to storage under pressure or in liquid form," says UMSICHT scientist Ulrich Seifert. "In addition, binding the hydrogen as a hydride can result in advantages with approvals." For example, the permit requirement threshold of three tons of stored hydrogen under the German Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) or five tons of hydrogen for the applicability of the Major Accident Ordinance (12. BImSchV) is only reached if significantly larger quantities of hydrogen are also present in the metal hydride in chemically bound form.

These licensing and safety-related advantages are offset by obstacles such as higher investment costs and a lower volumetric storage capacity. Another site-specific restriction at the terminal under consideration is that "if metal hydride storage is used, both the heat required for operation and the heat to be dissipated cannot be sufficiently provided or used by the integrated energy system at the terminal," explains Lars Paschke. "Therefore, additional heat pumps would have to be used, which would have a negative impact on costs."

Analysis shows a preference for compressed gas storage at the terminal in question

In light of these site-specific and stakeholder-related requirements, a compressed gas storage facility is a suitable option for use at the port of Duisburg, according to the results of the feasibility study. "In our view, however, this does not rule out the integration of metal hydride storage systems under different site conditions," emphasizes Lars Paschke. "For example, if there are sufficient heat sources and sinks available that are decoupled from the use of hydrogen, metal hydride storage systems could enable synergetic effects throughout the system."

In addition, only scenarios for the delivery of hydrogen from outside the terminal were considered for the port of Duisburg. Compression of the hydrogen is necessary for transportation. If hydrogen is produced locally with suitable electrolysis, metal hydride storage facilities could potentially yield positive cost effects, as, in contrast to compressed gas storage, no additional compression would be necessary to store the hydrogen. This would also require that the heat to be dissipated from the storage facility can be utilized elsewhere.

 

FUNDING NOTICE

The HYINPORT project ran for 12 months and was funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Duisburger Hafen AG

Duisburger Hafen AG is the owner and management company of the Port of Duisburg, the largest inland port in the world. The duisport Group offers full-service packages for the port and logistics location in the fields infrastructure and superstructure, including settlement management. In addition, the subsidiaries provide logistics services such as the development and optimization of transport and logistics chains, rail freight services, building management, contract and packaging logistics.

 

GKN Hydrogen

GKN Hydrogen is pioneering the safe, emission-free storage of green hydrogen, helping users and organizations around the world achieve their environmental goals and compliance office neutrality today and in the years to come. The company develops and markets systems, annexes and solutions for the use of Greens electrical energy and hydrogen. The systems generate green hydrogen using renewable energy sources and store it compactly and loss-free as a metal hydride over long periods of time. Depending on requirements, the green hydrogen can be used as a material or to generate electricity and heat. GKN Hydrogen is part of Langley Holdings, a global multidisciplinary engineering and industrial company,

Contact:
Martin Gallmetzer
Head of Quality Management, Technical Compliance, HSE, Sustainability & Fundings
Email: Martin.Gallmetzer@gknhydrogen.com

Björn Leupold
Application Engineering
Email: Bjoern.Leupold@gknhydrogen.com