Superconductivity and Hydrogen Economy: A Roadmap to Synergy

Masih Mojarrad (), Sana Farhoudian and Pavlo Mikheenko
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Masih Mojarrad: Department of Physics, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
Sana Farhoudian: Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland
Pavlo Mikheenko: Department of Physics, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: Hydrogen as an energy carrier is a promising alternative to fossil fuels, and it becomes more and more popular in developed countries as a carbon-free fuel. The low boiling temperature of hydrogen (20 K or −253.15 °C) provides a unique opportunity to implement superconductors with a critical temperature above 20 K such as MgB 2 or high-temperature superconductors. Superconductors increase efficiency and reduce the loss of energy, which could compensate for the high price of LH 2 to some extent. Norway is one of the pioneer countries with adequate infrastructure for using liquid hydrogen in the industry, especially in marine technology where a superconducting propulsion system can make a remarkable impact on its economy. Using superconductors in the motor of a propulsion system can increase its efficiency from 95% to 98% when the motor operates at full power. The difference in efficiency is even greater when the motor does not work at full power. Here, we survey the applications of liquid hydrogen and superconductors and propose a realistic roadmap for their synergy, specifically for the Norwegian economy in the marine industry.

Keywords: superconductors; liquid hydrogen; hydrogen economy; marine industry; MgB 2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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