H₂Tech: The Future of Hydrogen Infrastructure

Managing the energy transition to H₂ requires considering the complex impact H₂ can have on any pipeline network. For example, are pipeline staff able to reskill quickly enough to operate a pipeline transporting H₂ blends? Can security of supply be maintained while also accommodating changes in demand?

Electricity is typically generated by large plants and facilities and distributed to residential customers. This system works well considering reliability and cost, but limitations arise due to various factors. Fossil-fueled generation results in emissions, and there are limits regarding how much power can be produced by hydro, geothermal, nuclear and other low- or zero-carbon energy sources.

Liquefaction is a critical step in the H₂ supply chain because it enables the transportation and storage of pure H₂ in an energy-dense form. In addition, liquid H₂ may be preferred over other mediums (e.g., gaseous H₂, chemical carriers) due to the cost-effectiveness of transport and minimal infrastructure investment at the end-use site. Compared to gaseous H₂, one liquid H₂ tanker holds more H₂ than eight standard tube trailers.

H₂ must be stored at more elevated pressures with respect to hydrocarbon gas fuels to achieve similar energy density. This creates higher requirements on pressure vessels and containment structures, both in terms of building materials’ strength and assembly weight. Moreover, H₂ is known to degrade materials’ properties; in particular, in the case of metals, molecular H₂ can dissociate at the metal surface, resulting in atomic H₂ to diffuse into the bulk. This can eventually degrade the material’s properties, especially the ductility and fracture resistance.

As part of a debottlenecking procedure, a refinery in Oklahoma (U.S.) was interested in analyzing its hydrogen recycle compressor performance, thinking it may need rerating to improve plant capacity.

According to Gulf Energy Information’s Gulf Energy Infrastructure Database, there are 1,545 hydrogen (H₂) projects worldwide. Of these projects, 364 are in the proposed stage—projects that have gone past the stage of being a feasibility study but have not received local or national government approval, firm financial backing or Heads of Agreement or Letter of Intent to produce/use H₂.

Ramping up clean H₂ production will require a mix of energy sources underpinned by cross-sector collaboration and integration. This is because clean H₂ will require a blend of power sources—such as solar and wind energy—and a parallel convergence of previously separate sectors and specialisms from electrolyzers and petroleum to offshore wind and gas.

H2scan has launched HyView, an industrialized display to complement its Gen 5 sensor products to meet a broad range of applications. HyView is a hardened display that can consolidate data from multiple hydrogen sensors and is available in explosion-proof and National Electrical Manufacturer Association ratings. 

In early March, Lion Energy signed a Heads of Agreement with the Port of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia to lease land that will be used to build a green H₂ production and refueling facility. Once operational in 1Q 2024, Lion Energy will supply approximately 420 kg/d of green H₂ to heavy mobility vehicles in the region (e.g., bus fleets and heavy-duty vehicles). 

Total active H₂ projects continue to increase globally. At the time of this publication, Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure database was tracking more than 1,120 H₂ projects around the world. This is a nearly 7% increase in total active projects globally month-over-month.