Germany

BMW Group Forschung und Technik, the company’s research and technology arm, has developed a novel type of tank made of composite material for storing liquid hydrogen on board vehicles. The weight of the entire tank system can be reduced to a third compared with conventional cylindrical steel tanks. Its adaptable form lends it a high degree of flexibility, allowing for significant energy savings. Also, its subsidiary systems are integrated inside the tank’s casing, which means the tank takes up less room in the car and maintenance is also made much easier. The inner tank is designed on a modular basis, simplifying the production process in comparison with existing hydrogen tanks.elop a new storage system for liquid hydrogen. 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Raymond Freymann, Director of BMW Group Forschung und Technik: “The demonstration model of the new free-form tank being presented marks an important step forward into the hydrogen future. Filled with ten kilograms of hydrogen, it could allow a range well in excess of 500 kilometres in a future vehicle.” A prototype tank was presented at the “StorHy” EU project in Poissy near Paris on 3 and 4 June 2008.

BMW has been working with a consortium of 34 automakers, aerospace, fuel companies, and universities for the past four and a half years to develop a new storage system for liquid hydrogen.