Light metal hydride-based hydrogen storage system: Economic assessment in Argentina

Abstract

Motivated by the high potential for hydrogen production from renewable resources in Argentina, the economic feasibility of employing light complex metal hydrides as hydrogen storage materials for mobile applications in Argentina is explored for the first time. Three main costs are analyzed: green H2, H2 storage system based on Mg(NH2)2–LiH and storage tank. Considering the production of H2 by electrolysis using wind energy, a cost of ~5 USD/kg H2 is obtained. The cost of hydride matrix is crucial and competitive values are viable only if the synthesis route starts from Mg0 and Li0, allowing reducing the total hydride matrix cost from ~2200 to ~4900 USD. The cost of a modular configuration tank with 4 kg of H2 capacity is estimated to be ~5300–6700 USD. A cost ratio higher than of 2:1 is obtained between storage systems based on amides and high pressure systems.