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, University of New South Wales, 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
Lead Investigator: Lauren Macreadie: lauren.macreadie@sydney.edu.au
CEO Rux Energy: Jehan Kanga: jehan@ruxenergy.com
Funding:
Australian Research Council:
DE210101627: RGS Grants Search – Grants Data Portal – AUD$447,625
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, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) 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:
One PhD student at the University of Sydney is supported by this project. Three PhD students (as of August 2022) are being recruited.
Reviewed: October 2023