CASE STUDIES
Accelerating the Production of Hydrogen Electrolysers
European funded project focused on the development of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser demonstrator system, that will deliver green hydrogen at high pressure.
WHO WAS THE CUSTOMER?
ADVANCEPEM (Advanced High Pressure and Cost-Effective PEM Water Electrolysis Technology) is a consortium led project funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. The consortium coordinated by CNR-ITAE was awarded €2.5M funding by the EU and UKRI, focused on delivering a PEM electrolyser demonstrator system, that will deliver green hydrogen at high pressure.
The 36-month long project commenced in February 2023 and is made up of a consortium of five International partners: CNR-ITAE – Italy, Solvay – France, IRD – Denmark, RWE – Germany, Oort Energy – UK, and HSSMI – UK.
WHAT WAS THE BRIEF?
Direct production of highly pressurised hydrogen from the electrolytic splitting of water can enable the saving of significant amounts of energy compared to down-stream gas compression. The aim of this project is to develop a novel polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser that is able to produce green hydrogen at very high pressure (200 bar) thus reducing the post- compression energy consumption.
Another key objective is the development of cost-effective technology to achieve large-scale application of PEM electrolysers. A significant reduction of capital costs will be achieved by the reduction of critical raw materials in their manufacture, such as developing cheaper coated bipolar plates and operating the electrolyser at a high efficiency (approx 80% vs. HHV).
WHY WERE HSSMI BROUGHT IN?
HSSMI were brought in to support Oort energy’s ambitions to lead the development and production of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE), as they look to build a volume production capability in this sector. HSSMI are working with Oort Energy to develop the manufacturing strategy for their PEMWE solution, enabling a successful future roll-out of the technology. We will provide in-house expertise to define, develop and support their volume manufacturing process for the high pressure PEMWEs.
A key deliverable for HSSMI in the ADVANCEPEM project is the production of a complete life cycle analysis (LCA) of their high pressure PEWWE product and application of key manufacturing processes.
HSSMI’s experience in process development and technology upscaling for volume manufacture across novel technologies, are relevant and useful in attaining ADVANCEPEMs ambitions.
In addition to the manufacturing aspect of the project, HSSMI is also taking on the responsibility for managing the exploitation of the project and disseminating its findings to an external audience.
WHAT DID HSSMI DO TO DELIVER THE RESULTS?
At the present time, ADVANCEPEM has been underway for 6 months, with a projected finish date of January 2026. The consortium partners are currently engaging across the work packages as they look to develop the key processes and materials required to enable Oort Energy to becoming a leader in the hydrogen sector.
Key to this has been HSSMI providing support and expertise as Oort Energy develop the high-pressure hydrogen electrolyser system into a practical prototype demonstrating its capability at the RWE site in Germany.
WHAT IMPACT DID THIS MAKE?
By the end of the project, the final high pressure electrolyser system will be designed, built and undergo a series of validation testing procedures at the RWE site, confirming its potential to provide green hydrogen at high pressure and at scale.
ADVANCEPEM FACTS AND FIGURES:
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- Full project name: Advanced High Pressure and Cost-Effective PEM Water Electrolysis Technology.
- Project acronym: ADVANCEPEM.
- Start date: 1st February 2023.
- Duration: 36 months.
- Total project budget (funded jointly by the EU and UKRI): € 2.5M.
- EU contribution: € 1.6M.
- Partners: 6 partners and 3 affiliates from 5 countries: Italy, France, Denmark, Germany, UK.
(ADVANCEPEM project kick-off meeting, Advancepem (2023).)
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