Ice could be the answer to the problem of how to store hydrogen, a team of researchers has discovered.

The team found that when combined with organic metals, water creates a nano-space to stably hoard hydrogen at freezing point, the Korea Times reports.

Currently purified water does not contain the space to store hydrogen.

Lee Huen, head of the team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, said that the discovery was a step on the way towards making hydrogen a more viable alternative energy source.

Hydrogen gas is usually stored at a 350 barometric pressure or liquidised under a temperature of up to minus 252 degrees Celsius. However these methods are not practical for everyday use.

It is hoped that the new method of storing hydrogen inside ice will become the industry standard for hydrogen storage in the future.

The finding will reportedly be featured in the next edition of science journal Nature. The team has already applied for international patents for the breakthrough.