Developing safe and reliable hydrogen storage technologies that meet performance and cost requirements is critical to achieving a future hydrogen economy. Hydrogen storage will be needed for both vehicular applications and off-board uses such as for stationary power generation and for hydrogen delivery and refueling infrastructure. The ability to carry enough hydrogen on-board a vehicle to enable a driving range of greater than 300 miles, within packaging and cost constraints, is the focus of the DOE's Hydrogen Storage activities.
In order to meet these critical needs, DOE has established a "National Hydrogen Storage Project" that is funding research and development on various technologies such as advanced high-capacity metal hydrides, carbon-based and high surface area sorbents, as well as chemical hydrogen storage and new materials and concepts.