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The technology used for storing hydrogen onboard vehicles directly affects the design and selection of the delivery and dispensing system infrastructure.

On-site hydrogen storage is used at central hydrogen production facilities, transport terminals, and end-use locations.

Hydrogen carriers store hydrogen in some other chemical state rather than as free hydrogen molecules. Research and analyses are underway to investigate novel liquid or solid hydrogen carriers for use in delivery.

Hydrogen is most commonly transported and delivered as a liquid when high-volume transport is needed in the absence of pipelines. To liquefy hydrogen it must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures through a liquefaction process.

Gaseous hydrogen can be transported through pipelines much the way natural gas is today. Approximately 1,600 miles of hydrogen pipelines are currently operating in the United States.

Trucks that haul gaseous hydrogen are called tube trailers. Gaseous hydrogen is compressed and delivered in long cylinders that are stacked on a trailer that the truck hauls. This gives the appearance of long tubes, hence the name tube trailer.

Hydrogen is typically produced at relatively low pressures (20–30 bar) and must be compressed prior to transport. Learn about compressors used today for gaseous hydrogen compression and alternatives that are in the research and development stage.

Gaseous hydrogen is most commonly delivered either by trucks or through pipelines. Trucks that haul gaseous hydrogen are called tube trailers. Gaseous hydrogen can also be transported through pipelines much the way natural gas is today.

Learn about hydrogen delivery, on-site storage, and dispensing technologies and research and development goals and challenges.