16 Hydrogen distribution infrastructure

Abstract

Hydrogen has to be supplied to end-users using safe, reliable, and costeffective distribution infrastructure. The choice of distribution infrastructure should take into account the varying pressure and purity requirements of end-users and the hydrogen production methods being used. Hydrogen can be transported as a gas through pipelines, or compressed and transported in tube trailers, or liquefied and transported in road tankers, or produced at refueling stations or industrial sites. All of these technologies are in use in different parts of the world. It is difficult to justify investment in expensive distribution infrastructure such as a pipeline network for a very small initial market that might not grow in the future. Onsite electrolysis or tube trailers are likely to be most cost-effective for refueling stations, in the short term. Pipelines could be introduced sooner, if an industrial cluster or a gas distribution network were converted to use hydrogen, as a substantial demand would be created that would enable economies of scale in hydrogen production and distribution. Hydrogen purity and pressure requirements are often overlooked but require significant energy inputs. Compressor technologies for refueling stations are currently expensive or unreliable, and alternatives are in early stages of development. Purification costs can be minimized through careful system design.