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 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.