Hydrogen storage joint venture unveiled
6 Feb 2001
Shell Hydrogen, Hydro-Quebec (HQ) and Gesellschaft fur Elektrometallurgie (GfE) are to establish a joint venture to develop, manufacture and market hydrogen storage products.
Hydrogen, which can be produced with little or no emissions, is projected to become a major energy source for both passenger vehicles and power generation. And a safe and convenient means of storage is key prior to the introduction of the fuel into the marketplace.
Shell Hydrogen, HQ and GfE are pursuing commercial discussions regarding the proposed venture, which would involve the development of the storage media through to the sale of hydride-based storage materials and devices. The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding late last year.
The partners are convinced that metal hydrides will provide the best means of safely and reliably storing hydrogen. Metal hydrides work by 'trapping' the hydrogen inside a metal alloy; the storage is particularly safe because the hydrogen atoms are bonded to the metal.
'By combining our respective strengths in manufacturing, research, development and energy provision, we believe we can create a storage system that is more effective than anything that exists today,' said Jean-Rene Marcoux, CEO of Hydro-Quebec CapiTech.
