Feasibility study started on the use of metal hydride storage in the port of Duisburg

Storing pure hydrogen continues to be a challenge: it is only possible under very high pressure or at extremely low temperatures. The storage of chemically bound hydrogen in the form of metal hydrides could represent an economically and safety-related alternative to storage as compressed gas or as a cryogenic liquid - according to the result of a preliminary analysis by Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Duisburger Hafen AG and GKN Hydrogen. In the joint HYINPORT project, they are investigating the feasibility of this storage approach and, if the result is positive, plan to integrate a corresponding demonstration system in the Duisburg harbor area in a follow-up project.

“Metal hydride storage does not store hydrogen in highly compressed or liquefied form, but rather binds it chemically in a metal lattice structure,” explains Guido Degen, CEO of GKN Hydrogen, the technical background. This hydrogen is previously produced through electrolysis, which is powered by green electricity. »Directly from the electrolysis, a pressure level of approx. 40 bar is built up, which is used to store the hydrogen. This means that there is no further energy consumption for, for example, the use of a hydrogen compressor," continues Degen. The heat generated during the storage process can be made available to the adjacent infrastructure, for example as heating heat. Once the storage process – i.e. the formation of metal hydrides – is complete, they can remain unchanged in the tank for several years. When it is removed from storage, the reverse reaction occurs: the tank is opened to the consumer and the pressure level is reduced. Waste heat from surrounding industrial plants can be used to bring the metal hydride to temperatures of around 40 to 60 degrees Celsius. The pure hydrogen is then fed into fuel cells to generate electricity.

From island to large-scale solution: How metal hydride hydrogen storage can be integrated into the port area in Duisburg

»Such metal hydride hydrogen storage systems have already been implemented as isolated solutions – for example in nature reserves or as a backup system. We want to investigate whether, as large-scale storage systems, they can also constantly supply critical infrastructures such as the Duisburg port with green energy," says Ulrich Seifert, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, summarizing the objective of the joint project. The focus is on technical, ecological, economic and systemic criteria. “Two points are particularly important to us,” says Anna Grevé, Fraunhofer UMSICHT: “We want a solution that is sustainable and guarantees an efficient and reliable energy supply over several decades. On the other hand, the technology should be securely integrated into the overall system of the Port of Duisburg - with a view to synergy potential with surrounding players." The three partners see this technology assessment and investigation as the first phase of a larger project. “After completing the conceptual technology assessment, the integration of a metal hydride hydrogen storage facility on our site could be another exciting option for transforming the Duisburg Port energy hub,” emphasizes Johannes Eng, Duisburger Hafen AG. "The operation of a corresponding demonstration system and the interaction with the surrounding infrastructure will answer open questions and allow conclusions to be drawn about the transferability of the technology to other fields of application - for example in the port environment or in adjacent urban areas."

FUNDING NOTE

The HYINPORT project runs for 12 months and is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

PROJECT PARTNERS

Duisburger Hafen AG Duisburger Hafen AG is the ownership and management company of the Port of Duisburg, the largest inland port in the world. The duisport group offers full-service packages in the areas of infrastructure and superstructure, including settlement management, for the port and logistics location. In addition, the subsidiaries provide logistical services such as the development and optimization of transport and logistics chains, rail freight transport services, building management, contract and packaging logistics. GKN Hydrogen GKN Hydrogen is pioneering the safe, emission-free storage of green hydrogen, helping users and organizations around the world achieve their environmental goals and CO₂-Neutrality today and in the years to come. The company develops and markets systems, systems and solutions for the use of green, electrical energy and hydrogen. The systems generate green hydrogen from renewable energy sources and store it compactly and loss-free in metal hydride over long periods of time. Depending on requirements, the green hydrogen can be used directly or converted back into electricity and heat. GKN Hydrogen is part of Dowlais, an engineering group specializing in the automotive sector. SOURCE: Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety

Store Hydrogen Sustainably and Economically