In last years, hydrogen economy has been a lot spoken about. This term corresponds to an energetic model in which the hydrogen, obtain from clean energy, is used as a combustible to satisfice the majority of the society energetic needs.

To successfully implement this hydrogen economy, it’s necessary to overcome a series of obstacles that so far made its creation difficult, among which could be outlined:

  • Optimize the different technologies of hydrogen obtention, based on renewable energies, to be competitive.
  • Develop a hydrogen distribution system similar to the one that exists today for the gasoline.
  • Develop hydrogen storage systems with reduced dimensions.

With the objective to contributes to the implement of a hydrogen economy in the project SMARTH2PEM we follow up as main objective the development of a low power PEM electrolyser (1KW) and competitive cost, to the hydrogen generation of high purity (99,99%) and a high pressure (>15 Bar). About the strategies to follow will be focus on 2 main lines:

  • Alternatives to the reduction of the key components cost of the PEM electrolyser, enhancing also their capacities (membranes, bipolar plates and electrocatalizer).
  • Efficient conception of different/various developed components.

As a specific technical objectives, the project pretends to:

  • Develop membranes adapted to the electrolyser operation at high pressure and with adapted durability.
  • Develop advanced electrodes that support electrolyser working conditions (P, T and oxidation).
  • Develop a low cost MEAs (Membrane Electrode Assembly) manufacturing system for electrolyser systems PEM.
  • Develop a coating method for bipolar plates to protect them from the corrosion, using low cost metals as a support.
  • Develop an intelligent control system that allows managing the hydrogen fabrication in an efficient and secure way.
  • Validate the prototype operation at laboratory scale under behavioural conditions that simulate the generation from renewable energies.
  • Reduce the fossil fuels dependency via the hydrogen manufacturing, which also is a clean fuel that generates a single water waste, reducing with this mode the greenhouse gas emissions.

APPLICATION SECTORS:

  • Mobility
  • Energies and Water

TECHNOLOGICAL AREAS:

  • Technological Line 1-1: Energetics Technologies

IVACE PROGRAM:

  • Program: R&D in cooperation

TECHNOLOGIC INSTITUTE PARTICIPANT (for project in collaboration):

  • ITE, AIDIMME and AIJU

COORDINATOR CONTACT:
Financed