Functional energy materials for hydrogen storage and delivery to large transportation systems
R&D Focus Areas:
Adsorbents, Mobility, Cold/cryo compressed
Lead Organisation:
University of Sydney
Partners:
Rux Energy, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Status:
Active
Start date:
January 2021
Completion date:
2026
Key contacts:
Lead Investigator: Cameron Kepert: cameron.kepert@sydney.edu.au
CEO Rux Energy: Jehan Kanga: jehan@ruxenergy.com
Funding:
Australian Research Council:
LP200301563: RGS Grants Search – Grants Data Portal – AUD$602,766
LP210100435: RGS Grants Search – Grants Data Portal – AUD$597,373
CRC-Projects (Round 11):
https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/cooperative-research-centres-projects-crcp-grants/crc-projects-selection-round-outcomes: – AUD$2,770,000
Project total cost:
See above contributions.
Project summary description:
The primary challenge for hydrogen use in heavy mobility applications is volumetric (space) density. Ultra-high-pressure (UHP) composite tanks are currently the only way to store enough hydrogen, dispatchably. These UHP composite 350-700 atmosphere tanks are:
- Expensive – adding 50% to the total capital cost of vehicles.
- Expensive to repressurise / refuel – adding to operating cost – losing 18-22% of the total stored energy per cycle, and adding at least 4-6 times to the infrastructure cost of refuelling stations.
- Gravimetrically inefficient (state-of-the-art is 6%; erodes the benefit of hydrogen).
- Bulky and awkward in shape (low space efficiency).
Solving hydrogen storage costs and (in)efficiencies is critical to solving slow adoption velocity, and thus decarbonising the heavy transport sector.
A partnership of University of Sydney, Rux Energy and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has worked to develop and optimise novel materials. These advanced (patented) nanoporous metal-organic-framework (MOF) materials enable high-efficiency hydrogen physisorption, significantly increasing the gravimetric (mass) and volumetric (space) density of hydrogen storage systems, reducing supply-chain-wide energy losses. The MOFs are interoperable with existing gas infrastructure and safety standards, accelerating industry transformation to a lower cost hydrogen economy.
Related publications and key links:
https://www.imcrc.org/imcrc-collaboration-en-route-to-develop-green-hydrogen-storage-solution/
https://pacetoday.com.au/imcrc-collaboration-deliver-dispatchable-h2-tanks/
https://www.imcrc.org/case-study-rux-energy/
https://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/hydrogen-hwy/11009964
Higher degree studies supported:
Two PhD students at the University of Sydney are supported by this project.
Reviewed: April 2024