Continuing our HyTech Series, where the latest innovation presented was membrane reactor technology, we now introduce HYIELD’s innovation in hydrogen storage.
As hydrogen gains momentum as a clean energy carrier, the challenge of efficient and safe hydrogen storage remains a critical barrier to its widespread adoption. While hydrogen offers high energy density and produces zero emissions at the point of use, there is still a gap in how to store hydrogen in a practical and cost-effective way. HYIELD attemps to remedy this gap by innovating new storage methods.
Researchers and technology developers across Europe are exploring new approaches that could make hydrogen storage safer, more efficient, and easier to integrate into future energy systems. One of the most promising innovations is solid-state hydrogen storage using metal hydrides.
The Challenge of Storing Hydrogen
Today, hydrogen is usually stored as a compressed gas, at pressures between 250 and 600 bar. Although this technology is well established, it presents several challenges.
Compressing hydrogen requires large amounts of energy, which increases operational costs. Hydrogen molecules are extremely small, making them more prone to leakage and reducing storage efficiency. At the same time, high-pressure storage systems can introduce safety considerations and, as such, require specialized infrastructure.
These limitations highlight the need for alternative storage solutions that reduce energy consumption while maintaining safety and reliability.
Alternative Hydrogen Storage Pathways
Two major alternatives to compressed hydrogen storage have been widely studied: chemical storage and solid-state storage.
Chemical hydrogen carriers include ammonia or formic acid. These carriers can store hydrogen in molecular form and then release it through chemical reactions as needed. This form of storage is particularly attractive for transport because hydrogen can be stored within ambient temperatures and pressures.
Another promising route is solid-state hydrogen storage, which relies on materials capable of reversibly absorbing and releasing hydrogen such as:
- Metal hydrides
- Complex hydrides
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)
- Covalent organic frameworks (COFs)
Among these materials, metal hydrides have attracted significant attention due to their ability to store hydrogen at low pressures (10 bar) while also offering stable performance over long operating periods. This can reduce operational costs and lower the levelized cost of hydrogen storage (LCOS).
However, scaling metal hydride storage systems to industrial levels and reducing capital costs remains an important challenge for the sector.
Moving Beyond the State of the Art
After years of research into metal hydride materials and storage systems, Mincatec Energy has developed a new solid hydrogen storage solution designed to compete with conventional compressed gas and liquid hydrogen storage.
One of the key advantages of this storage solution is that it operates as a stand-alone system that does not require an external energy supply to run, reducing the overall energy demand associated with hydrogen storage.
The system works by absorbing hydrogen into a metallic powder that forms a stable solid compound known as a metal hydride. Thermodynamic equilibrium is achieved, when temperatures and pressure are stabilized: at around 20°C, the residual tank pressure is approximately 10 bar.
These operating conditions significantly reduce the need for high-pressure infrastructure and contribute to improved safety and system efficiency.
From Development to Industrialization
Mincatec Energy’s core activity focuses on the development and manufacturing of low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen tanks, to address mobility and stationary decarbonization needs.
As part of ongoing development work, a demonstration unit will be installed and commissioned to validate the technology at an industrial scale. The testing program includes hydrogen production trials, gas analysis, and performance testing under a range of operating conditions and feedstock types.
Key Performance Expected Results:
The metal hydride storage system will produce following results:
- 10 kg hydrogen storage capacity
- Less than 1% reduction in storage capacity after 4,000 hours of testing
- 5% reduction in the levelized cost of hydrogen storage (LCOS)
- 10% reduction in capital expenditure compared with other metal hydride solutions
- 10 bar hydrogen output pressure
These results will demonstrate the potential of metal hydride technology to offer a robust and cost-competitive hydrogen storage solution.
Enabling the Hydrogen Energy System
As hydrogen becomes an increasingly important part of Europe’s clean energy strategy, innovations in storage will play a vital role in enabling scalable hydrogen infrastructure.
Solid-state storage solutions such as metal hydrides offer a promising pathway by combining lower operating pressures, improved safety, and reduced energy consumption. With continued development and demonstration at an industrial scale, these technologies could help unlock new applications for hydrogen across energy, mobility, and industry.
The project is Co-founded by Clean Hydrogen Partnership and European Commission.
Writer: Grant Mimms
Editorial: Axelle Chatain-Gigou & Lucía Salinas
March, 2026