Hydrogen Delivery

Hydrogen must be transported from the point of production to the point of use. It also must be safely compressed, stored and dispensed at refueling stations or stationary power facilities. Due to its relatively low volumetric energy density, transportation, storage and final delivery to the point of use can be one of the significant costs and energy inefficiencies associated with using hydrogen as an energy carrier.

This DOE Hydrogen Program activity is focused on developing hydrogen delivery technologies that will enable the introduction and long-term viability of hydrogen as an energy carrier for transportation and stationary power. Current research efforts are focused on:

Initial Focus

To enable the introduction of hydrogen as an energy carrier, a key initial focus of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is on hydrogen delivery research challenges at refueling stations and stationary power sites. Research is being conducted to improve the reliability and lower the cost of hydrogen compression and to reduce the cost and footprint of hydrogen storage.

Delivery Infrastructure

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy, and the Office of Science are working to lower the cost and energy use of the hydrogen delivery infrastructure. This includes developing improved lower cost materials for pipelines, breakthrough approaches to hydrogen liquefaction, lighter weight stronger materials and structures for high pressure hydrogen storage and transport, and novel low pressure solid and liquid carrier systems for hydrogen delivery and storage.