Green hydrogen, produced via renewable-powered electrolysis, is central to the UK’s ambition to decarbonise its economy. Scaling this vision requires robust distribution infrastructure, including specialised equipment such as tube trailers, stationary storage systems, compressors, and refuelling stations. Haush examines the role of these components in the UK’s hydrogen supply chain, estimates their costs, highlights key manufacturers, and evaluates the challenges and opportunities in the transport of gaseous and liquefied hydrogen.
Key Components of Green Hydrogen Distribution
Tube Trailers
Tube trailers are vital for transporting compressed hydrogen gas. These trailers, often made from high-strength steel or composite materials, are equipped to handle high-pressure hydrogen.
Key Players:
- Hexagon Purus: A leader in high-pressure hydrogen transport solutions, offering trailers that operate at pressures up to 500 bar.
- Luxfer Gas Cylinders: A UK-based company specialising in lightweight composite cylinders for tube trailers.
- Calvera Hydrogen: integrates all processes for the design, manufacture and supply for compression, transport, storage and dispensing equipment for high-pressure compressed gases since 1954.
Estimated Cost:
A standard hydrogen tube trailer costs between £250,000 and £400,000, depending on capacity and materials used.
Applications and Challenges:
Tube trailers are ideal for short to medium distances but face limitations in terms of capacity and efficiency over long distances.
Stationary Storage
Stationary hydrogen storage systems ensure a reliable supply at industrial sites, energy hubs, and refuelling stations. These tanks can store hydrogen as a gas or a liquid, depending on application needs.
Key Players:
- Linde Engineering: Offers high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage solutions.
- Chart Industries: Known for cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage tanks.
Estimated Cost:
Gaseous hydrogen storage tanks (up to 900 bar): £800–£1,500 per kg of storage capacity.
Liquid hydrogen cryogenic tanks: £1,000–£3,000 per kg of capacity, owing to the additional insulation requirements.
Challenges:
Material durability is a concern due to hydrogen embrittlement, and cryogenic tanks require advanced insulation to minimise boil-off losses.
Compression Systems
Hydrogen compression is necessary for transport and refuelling, as hydrogen must be pressurised to meet the requirements of end-use applications.
Key Players:
- Howden: A Scottish-based company specialising in reciprocating and diaphragm compressors for hydrogen applications.
- Burckhardt Compression: Provides a range of compressors designed for high-pressure hydrogen systems.
Estimated Cost:
Hydrogen compressors can range from £50,000 to £500,000, depending on capacity and output pressure. Large-scale systems for refuelling stations typically cost upwards of £200,000.
Challenges:
The energy-intensive nature of hydrogen compression increases operating costs, and ensuring compressor reliability is critical for minimising downtime.
Filling Panels and Dispensers
Hydrogen dispensers and filling panels are the interface between storage systems and vehicles. They ensure safe, efficient, and high-pressure hydrogen transfer.
Key Players:
- Nel Hydrogen: Supplies hydrogen dispensers capable of handling 350 and 700 bar pressures.
- Haskel: A global leader in high-pressure transfer solutions, including hydrogen refuelling systems.
Estimated Cost:
Hydrogen dispensers cost between £100,000 and £250,000, depending on features such as cooling systems and flow rate capabilities.
Features:
Modern dispensers include cooling systems to prevent overheating during high-pressure refuelling and automated safety checks.
Refuelling Stations
Hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) are the cornerstone of hydrogen distribution for transport applications. The UK has several operational HRS, with plans for significant expansion.
Key Players:
- ITM Power: A Sheffield-based company manufacturing hydrogen refuelling stations and electrolysers.
- Air Products: Supplies complete HRS solutions, including storage, compression, and dispensing equipment.
Estimated Cost:
Establishing a hydrogen refuelling station costs between £1 million and £2 million, depending on the size, capacity, and location. Stations capable of handling both gaseous and liquid hydrogen are at the higher end of this range.
Capabilities:
Most stations dispense hydrogen gas at pressures of 350 or 700 bar. Some are being upgraded to handle liquid hydrogen, particularly for heavy-duty vehicle applications.
Merits and Challenges of Hydrogen Transport in the UK
Transporting Compressed Hydrogen Gas
Merits:
- Established technology and compatibility with existing equipment.
- Flexible for decentralised and smaller-scale applications.
Challenges:
- Limited capacity per tube trailer necessitates frequent deliveries, increasing logistics costs.
- Hydrogen’s small molecular size makes leakage a risk during transport.
Transporting Liquefied Hydrogen
Merits:
- Significantly higher energy density than gaseous hydrogen, reducing transportation costs over long distances.
- Suitable for large-scale applications like shipping and aviation.
Challenges:
- Liquefaction is highly energy-intensive, requiring 30–40% of the hydrogen’s energy content.
- Specialised cryogenic tanks are expensive, costing up to £1 million per unit for large-scale storage and transport.
- Restrictive regulations in the transport of Liquefied hydrogen regarding gross vehicle weight, routes that need to avoid tunnels and the management of boil-off gas.
Key Opportunities for the UK
Government Initiatives:
The UK Hydrogen Strategy commits significant funding to expand hydrogen infrastructure, including refuelling stations and production hubs.
Private Sector Investment:
Companies like BP, Shell, and ITM Power are investing heavily in hydrogen infrastructure to support the transport and industrial sectors.
Innovations in Technology:
Advances in lightweight materials, high-pressure systems, and cryogenic storage are expected to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
The development of green hydrogen distribution in the UK requires collaboration between manufacturers, suppliers, and policymakers. Equipment costs remain high, and technical challenges like hydrogen leakage, embrittlement, and energy-intensive liquefaction must be addressed. However, with leading companies such as ITM Power, Hexagon Purus, and Howden driving innovation, the UK is well-positioned to become a global leader in hydrogen distribution, enabling the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.
The post The Distribution of Green Hydrogen in the UK: Infrastructure, Costs and Key Players first appeared on Haush.