Filling Station Storage Infrastructure

In order to perform a study for the Hydrogen round trip efficiency a decision regarding the most appropriate storing technique was made. The careful examination of the technologies available revealed two potential choices: the Compressed Hydrogen gas and the Liquid Hydrogen techniques. The choice was made taking under consideration factors of cost-efficiency; progress in the laboratory environment and the degree of applicability in the next ten years. Especially in the last part, both technologies are already operational and have been tested successfully in experimental stations globally.
At a second stage, additional research was performed to identify the most suitable for the particular filling station. Research revealed that the Compressed Hydrogen gas technique is the best-suited hydrogen storing technique. Choosing the particular method from its potential rival lies on the fact that it is more cost-efficient than the Liquid Hydrogen storing technology (it requires a large capital cost of building the pressure vessel and acquiring the compressor but no additional cost for chilling the hydrogen, are accounted). It also involves less mechanical infrastructure and is ideal for storing hydrogen for small periods of time. The application of the Liquid Hydrogen storing technology could only be considered if the hydrogen was produced in larger quantities; was sold in bulk quantities and required to remain stored for a period of at least 30 days before purchase. In this case, the excessive operational cost could be stabilised by the high volumes sold and a predetermined high selling price.

Filling Station Storage Infrastructure