'Alchemy of energy':
Breakthrough offers mass hydrogen storage options.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/clim ... 558dj.html
" The promise of low-cost hydrogen storage to power our homes and businesses may be a lot closer to becoming a reality if new technology developed and owned in Australia can make a speedy transition from the lab"
Chris.
Aussie hydrogen battery breakthrough.
Storing hydrogen in hydrides is not the same as storing electrical energy in a battery. In a battery, the stored energy is converted to electrical energy, and vice versa, in a single step. On the other hand, to store energy using hydrogen, the hydrogen first has to be made available. Usually this step involves water and electrolysis. Then metal hydrides suck up the hydrogen at room temperature and store it, but have to be heated to pretty high temperatures to release the hydrogen. Finally, converting the stored hydrogen back into usable energy involves either burning the hydrogen in an engine of some kind, or putting it through a fuel cell.
The overall efficiency of any hydrogen cycle is perhaps 50% at best, while lithium batteries exceed 90%. This is not to say that a hydrogen economy is not practical, only that hydrogen storage shouldn't be directly equated to a battery.
The overall efficiency of any hydrogen cycle is perhaps 50% at best, while lithium batteries exceed 90%. This is not to say that a hydrogen economy is not practical, only that hydrogen storage shouldn't be directly equated to a battery.