As India advances towards its National Green Hydrogen Mission targets, the need to store hydrogen safely and economically is emerging as a critical infrastructure challenge. Aligning green hydrogen supply with demand requires significant storage infrastructure – an area where India is still at a nascent stage. Deliberations at the 11th annual conference on Green Hydrogen in India, organised by Renewable Watch, outlined the technological landscape and the strategic choices ahead for industry and policymakers…
Physical storage
Compressed gas storage remains the most mature pathway, involving the storage of hydrogen in high-pressure carbon-fibre composite cylinders or vessels. It offers a round-trip efficiency of 90-95 per cent, with compression consuming 10-15 per cent of input energy. Tube trailers operating at 20 MPa are used, which offer flexibility and easy integration with existing infrastructure. The approach benefits from familiarity, given its long-standing application in refineries and fertiliser plants, and has the lowest upfront cost among storage options at $1-$2 per kg of hydrogen.
Liquid hydrogen storage provides approximately 2.5 times the energy density of compressed gas, making it suitable for long-distance transport. However, it requires liquefaction at -253 °C, consuming 20-30 per cent of the hydrogen’s energy (having a 70-80 per cent round-trip efficiency), along with daily boil-off losses of 0.2-3 per cent. At $3-$6 per kg, the cost impact is significant, and dedicated cryogenic infrastructure in India remains limited.
Material and chemical storage
Metal hydride storage, which involves absorbing hydrogen into alloys such as magnesium or titanium, offers a solid-state alternative with a round-trip efficiency of 80-90 per cent. It eliminates the need for high pressure and cryogenics, making it relevant for mobility and aviation applications. However, challenges include slow kinetics, hydrogen release temperatures of around 300 °C, and high material costs, resulting in storage costs of $4-$7 per kg.
Among chemical carriers, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, typically based on toluene, enable storage at ambient temperature and pressure and can leverage existing oil infrastructure. However, round-trip efficiency is lower at 60-70 per cent due to the energy-intensive dehydrogenation process, and catalyst costs remain a constraint.
Ammonia-based storage converts hydrogen into ammonia through the Haber-Bosch process, offering high energy density and leveraging established global production and distribution networks, particularly relevant given India’s fertiliser ecosystem. However, overall efficiency stands at 61-68 per cent, with additional concerns around toxicity, corrosivity and the energy required for reconversion to hydrogen.
Underground storage
For bulk and long-duration storage, underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns, depleted gas reservoirs or lined rock caverns offers recovery efficiency of 95-98 per cent and potential capacities of up to 6 TWh per site. While cost-effective at scale, deployment is dependent on suitable geology, and India currently has no commercial-scale facilities.
Methanol pathway
Green methanol is emerging as a hydrogen carrier option for India. With an energy density of 15 MJ/L, it has one of the highest densities compared to different hydrogen storage options. It can also be stored and transported using existing liquid fuel infrastructure. Its safety profile is well understood, and its readiness for deployment in India is considered high. Methanol remains in liquid form at ambient conditions, avoiding the need for high-pressure or cryogenic systems. In addition, established global supply chains and the ability to generate hydrogen and electricity at the point of use through fuel cells and reformers make it a flexible option, particularly in regions with varying grid access and technical capacity.
Infrastructure gaps and outlook
India has several strengths, including experience in industrial hydrogen handling, natural gas pipeline networks and chemical storage infrastructure at ports. However, dedicated green hydrogen storage infrastructure remains limited. Gaps include a constrained high-pressure cylinder manufacturing ecosystem, minimal cryogenic hydrogen infrastructure, the absence of a national hydrogen pipeline network, and no commercial underground storage facilities.
In the near term, compressed gas storage is expected to remain the preferred option for refineries, fertiliser plants and blending applications. Over the medium term, liquid hydrogen and ammonia are likely to support port logistics and export. In the long term, underground storage, particularly in depleted oil and gas fields, offers potential for large-scale, seasonal energy balancing. Going forward, the development of hydrogen storage infrastructure will require a parallel, multi-technology approach aligned with the timelines of India’s green hydrogen ambitions.
Based on a presentation by Vidya Bhushan, Chief General Manager, Engineers India; and Prakriti Sethi, Chief India Representative, Methanol Institute, at the 11th edition of the Green Hydrogen in India conference organised by Renewable Watch
