Event Details

Dr Bharath Govindan - SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India - joins us for a talk on hydrogen storage. Also available on Microsoft Teams.

Abstract

The transition toward a sustainable energy economy requires efficient strategies for storing and transporting renewable hydrogen. Although hydrogen is a clean energy carrier, its low volumetric energy density and challenges in compression, storage, and transportation limit large-scale deployment. An emerging solution is the storage of hydrogen in chemical energy carriers, where hydrogen is incorporated into stable molecules that can be transported and later released as fuel or utilized directly in energy systems.

This talk presents recent advances in electrochemical platforms for hydrogen storage through chemical energy carriers, focusing on the conversion of abundant carbon and nitrogen resources into hydrogen-rich fuels and chemicals. Particular attention is given to CO₂ capture and electrochemical conversion into fuels and chemical feedstocks, where renewable hydrogen and electricity transform carbon dioxide into energy-dense molecules such as alcohols and hydrocarbons. In addition, biomass and municipal waste valorization pathways are highlighted, where biomass-derived molecules and waste-generated bio-oil can be upgraded electrochemically into renewable fuels and high-value chemicals, supporting circular carbon utilization.

Ammonia is also explored as a carbon-free hydrogen carrier, including electrochemical nitrate reduction for sustainable ammonia synthesis and catalytic ammonia decomposition for efficient hydrogen recovery. These systems provide promising routes for long-term hydrogen storage, safe transport, and integration with existing energy infrastructure.

Finally, the development of advanced catalytic materials and scalable electrochemical reactor platforms is discussed, enabling improved catalytic selectivity, efficient energy conversion, and continuous operation. By integrating CO₂ utilization, biomass valorization, waste-to-fuel conversion, and ammonia energy systems, electrochemical technologies offer a unified strategy for hydrogen storage and carbon circularity, contributing to the advancement of sustainable and low-carbon energy systems.

Teams Link

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/375971489295083?p=rIZ6Y32Pf66QSATIgl