DOE issues funding for hydrogen fuel storage projects

Department of Energy provides $7 million in funding for innovative storage projects

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that $7 million in funding has been awarded to six projects that focus on developing innovative hydrogen fuel storage solutions. Storage has become a top priority when it comes to hydrogen fuel and its use in transportation and other sectors. Without efficient or effective storage solutions, the benefit of hydrogen is limited and its use would narrow. The Department of Energy has been showing more support for hydrogen in recent years and this support has been instrumental in driving breakthroughs in the fuel cell industry and clean technology space.

Projects aim to introduce breakthrough solutions to the world of hydrogen

The projects that have been awarded funding come from Materia, PPG Industries, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Ardica, and HRL Laboratories, all of which are based in California. The project show promise in leading to innovative storage solutions for hydrogen fuel. These storage solutions could help reduce the cost of hydrogen-based energy to some degree and help make fuel cells more attractive by association.

New materials to be showcased by ambitious projects out of California

Some of the projects will focus on demonstrating the use of new, highly durable materials that would be used to build new fuel storage tanks. These materials are comprised of carbon fiber developed through the use of nanotechnology designed specifically to improve durability. Other projects aim to demonstrate materials that are able to store hydrogen more effectively, allowing the fuel to be deposited and extracted quickly, which is particularly important when hydrogen is being used for the purposes of transportation.

Storage remains one of the most significant challenges facing hydrogen fuel and its use in a variety of suctors

Storage has been a problem for hydrogen fuel for some time. Current storage methods are somewhat inefficient and energy intensive, which makes them relatively unattractive. Without effective storage solutions, the attraction of hydrogen is somewhat limited, especially in transportation, where storage solutions are needed in order to help make fuel cell vehicles popular among consumers.