Hydrogen Generation and Handling Costs

Once the H2 is available either as a pressurized gas or as a cryogenic liquid, it still has to be stored and transported to the users. In addition to transportation and storage, there are also infrastructure expenses. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reference provides dollar cost figures per kilogram of H2 These total costs include energy, freight, labor, and capital costs and have been developed for truck, rail, ship, and pipeline transportation of both gas and LH2 at various flow rates and over a variety of 

Post-Oil Energy Technology After the Age of Fossil Fuels 

If the transportation distance exceeds 100 km (62 mi) and the transportation is by truck or rail, the energy cost of compressed gas (at 200 bar—about 3,000 psig) is about 6% of the HHV. If, on the other hand, the H2 is transported as a liquid, the transportation cost is about 1% of the HHV. It should be noted that although the transportation cost for LH2 is lower, the storage cost is higher (about 5% HHV), because of the need for cooling. 

At filling stations, the GH2 pressure is usually increased from 200 to 400 bar (3,000-4,500 psig). This compression increases the energy cost of the total operation by about 2% HHV. Naturally, in addition to the operating energy costs, there will also be infrastructure, depreciation, operating, and maintenance costs. 

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