The 33rd China International Exhibition on Electric Power Equipment and Technology
Shanghai International Energy Storage Technology Application Expo / Hydrogen Energy Expo
Hydrogen storage and transportation encompasses the full range of technologies used to contain hydrogen at sufficient density and deliver it safely to where it is needed. Because hydrogen has the lowest volumetric energy density of any fuel at ambient conditions, effective storage and transport solutions are critical to building a viable hydrogen economy. Key approaches include high-pressure gaseous compression (typically 350–700 bar), cryogenic liquid storage at –253°C, and emerging solid-state methods using metal hydrides or chemical carriers. Transportation modes include pipeline networks, tube trailers for compressed gas, cryogenic tankers for liquid hydrogen, and chemical hydrogen carriers such as ammonia or liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) that can use existing liquid fuel infrastructure.
5 Key Questions About Hydrogen Storage and Transportation
The three primary hydrogen storage methods are: (1) Compressed gaseous hydrogen, stored in high-pressure cylinders or tanks at 350–700 bar — the most commercially mature technology used in fuel cell vehicles and refuelling stations; (2) Liquid hydrogen, stored at cryogenic temperatures (–253°C) in insulated tanks, offering higher energy density but requiring significant energy for liquefaction; (3) Solid-state storage, using materials such as metal hydrides, chemical hydrides, or porous materials that absorb and release hydrogen through chemical or physical processes, offering safety advantages and higher volumetric density.
Long-distance hydrogen transport options include dedicated hydrogen pipelines (similar to natural gas pipelines but requiring hydrogen-compatible materials), compressed gas tube trailers for smaller volumes, cryogenic liquid tankers for larger volumes, and chemical carrier conversion — converting hydrogen to ammonia or liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) for transport using existing liquid fuel infrastructure, then reconverting at the destination. Pipeline transport is most economical at scale, while chemical carriers offer the advantage of leveraging existing port and tanker infrastructure.
Hydrogen storage and transport is governed by international standards including ISO 15869 (gaseous hydrogen vehicle fuel tanks), ISO 13985 (liquid hydrogen vehicle fuel systems), and the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. In China, GB/T standards issued by the Standardisation Administration of China cover hydrogen cylinder design, refuelling station safety, and pipeline specifications. The China Hydrogen Alliance publishes industry guidelines that complement regulatory requirements.
Hydrogen storage can serve as long-duration energy storage for electric power, complementing shorter-duration battery storage. Surplus renewable energy is used to produce hydrogen via electrolysis (power-to-hydrogen), which is then stored and later converted back to electricity via fuel cells or hydrogen turbines when needed. This power-to-hydrogen-to-power pathway enables seasonal energy storage and helps balance the intermittency of wind and solar generation over days, weeks, or months — a timescale where battery storage is not yet economically viable at grid scale.
A complete hydrogen supply chain requires investment across production (electrolysers or SMR plants), purification and compression equipment, storage facilities (high-pressure tanks or cryogenic vessels), transportation infrastructure (pipelines, tube trailers, or tanker fleets), and dispensing equipment at end-use points. In China, the government's hydrogen development plan targets 50,000 fuel cell vehicles and 1,000 refuelling stations by 2025, driving substantial infrastructure investment. Industrial hydrogen hubs co-locating production, storage, and major industrial consumers offer the most capital-efficient development pathway.
Key Takeaways
Hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure is the critical link between hydrogen production and end-use applications. The choice of storage and transport method depends on volume, distance, end-use requirements, and available infrastructure. At EP Shanghai's co-located HE Shanghai show, leading domestic and international suppliers showcase the full spectrum of hydrogen storage and transport technologies, from high-pressure cylinders to cryogenic systems and solid-state materials.
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