Wasserstoffspeicherung mit CO2 und Derivaten

The fight against global warming can only succeed by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energies. However, most renewable energy sources are intermittent and require storage concepts in order to have energy available at all times and in a predictable manner. In this context, chemical energy carriers, especially hydrogen, are important. Green hydrogen as an energy vector can be obtained simply by electrolysis of water and can be used universally. Hydrogen can be stored in other chemical compounds for storage and transportation. This reversibly converts the volatile gas hydrogen into a safer liquid or solid. In liquid or solid form, hydrogen can be stored safely and transported easily, as the existing energy infrastructure can continue to be used. Carbon dioxide and bicarbonate are interesting carrier surrogates as they are harmless, available in large quantities and inexpensive. The reaction with green hydrogen produces the hydrogen carriers formic acid and formate. Compared to other carriers, these have a lower hydrogen content, but are convincing due to their non-hazardous nature. This is particularly true for formates. If required, the stored hydrogen can be released from the carrier molecules with the help of suitable catalysts and used by reacting with oxygen in fuel cells or by combustion. The storage of green hydrogen utilizing CO₂ and bicarbonate can not only make energy supply safer and more efficient but also make the chemical industry greener.