The future of hydrogen distribution globally to be dominated by pipelines and organic carrier ships, which, however, has its challenges.
Here’s an article posted in Renewable Energy Magazine.
According to the article,
- Global hydrogen infrastructure’s key challenge: distribution cost
- Transport cost to take over 50% of the equation
- Importing hydrogen to resource-rich countries to add $0.50 to $1.86 per kilogram
- Distribution to account for nearly two-thirds of the final cost of hydrogen to the customer
There are several key challenges in transporting hydrogen to various parts that cause this high cost:
1. Low Energy Density
Hydrogen has a low volumetric energy density compared to other fuels, making it challenging to transport large quantities efficiently. This requires specialized containers or pipelines to store and move hydrogen.
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Hydrogen can embrittle metals, potentially compromising the structural integrity of transportation equipment and infrastructure.
3. Lack of Infrastructure
The existing infrastructure for hydrogen transportation is limited, with most hydrogen currently transported via pipelines in regions with substantial stable demand, which is also dangerous considering the risk of embrittlement.
4. Transportation Methods
Transporting hydrogen long distances domestically is currently unviable due to the high costs of liquefaction, refrigeration, and regasification required for shipping, especially in countries like India.
