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11.9 to 15 kWh of electricity is required to liquify 1 kilogram of hydrogen in large-scale, new facilities

We reviewed several scientific and industrial sources and found that the energy required to liquefy 1 kg of hydrogen ranges from 11.9 to 15 kWh.1 Liquid hydrogen transportation involves a complex, energy-intensive cryogenic process in which gaseous hydrogen is transformed into liquid form at temperatures near -253°C.2 Although it is considered a proven technology, there are ongoing efforts to minimize energy consumption and enhance efficiency.3 Several conceptual hydrogen liquefaction processes have been developed to demonstrate theoretically how the efficiency of the liquefaction process can be optimized. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) also indicates that efforts are being made to reduce this consumption to 6 kWh/kg LH2.4

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Footnotes​

  1. Al Ghafri, S. S., et al. (2023). Hydrogen liquefaction: A review of the fundamental physics, engineering practice, and future opportunities. Energy & Environmental Science, 15(7), 2690-273 ; Zhang, T., et al. (2022). Hydrogen liquefaction and storage: Recent progress and perspectives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 176. ↩

  2. Aasadnia, M., & Mehrpooya, M. (2022). Large-scale liquid hydrogen production methods and approaches: A review. Applied Energy, 212, 57-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.12.033 ↩

  3. Ibid. ↩

  4. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2021). XGreen hydrogen supply: A guide to policy making. IRENA. https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/May/IRENA_Green_Hydrogen_Supply_2021.pdf4o ↩