Storage of hydrogen in hydrates

Abstract

The primary cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, we are looking for alternative solutions for electricity generation, such as the increased use of renewable energies such as solar, wind and hydropower. The main drawback of these energy generation methods is the high degree of weather dependence, highly unbalanced, so the creation of a complex energy storage system is of paramount importance. This system would store the excess energy as a buffer, balancing the periodicity between demand and supply. Hydrogen storage (hydrogen is produced by the electrolysis of water using renewable energy) in the form of clathrate can be one of the possible forms of energy storage. To facilitate hydrogen supply in a future with zero carbon emissions, it is necessary to examine the technical aspects and feasibility of adsorption of hydrogen in high surface area materials. The capturing of molecular hydrogen in a crystalline guest molecule, i.e., water, as a storage method is a relatively new technology. Hydrogen hydrate is a promising medium for hydrogen storage, with advantages such as low production cost, safety, lack of negative environmental effects. The aim of this study is to present the latest developments in hydrogen storage in the form of hydrates and to present the challenges of this research area.