The energy density of hydrogen and lithium-ion batteries can be compared in two main ways: gravimetric (energy per mass) and volumetric (energy per volume) energy densities.
Gravimetric Energy Density
- Hydrogen: Hydrogen has a very high gravimetric energy density of about 120 MJ/kg on a lower heating value basis. In electrical terms, hydrogen offers approximately 33.6 kWh of usable energy per kg.
- Lithium-ion Batteries: The typical gravimetric energy density of lithium-ion batteries ranges from about 100 to 265 Wh/kg, depending on the type and age of the technology. This translates to roughly 0.36 to 0.98 MJ/kg.
Volumetric Energy Density
- Hydrogen: The volumetric energy density of hydrogen is quite low, around 8 MJ/L for liquid hydrogen and about 5.6 MJ/L for compressed hydrogen gas at high pressure.
- Lithium-ion Batteries: Lithium-ion batteries typically have a higher volumetric energy density than hydrogen, with values ranging from approximately 200 to 600 Wh/L, or about 0.72 to 2.16 MJ/L.
In summary, hydrogen has a significantly higher gravimetric energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, making it advantageous for applications where weight is critical (like transportation). However, lithium-ion batteries have a higher volumetric energy density, which is beneficial for applications where space efficiency is important (like portable electronics or automotive where space is at a premium).
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-energy-density-of-hydrogen-compare-to-that-of-lithium-ion-batteries/
