Author Archive: fha

hyprael electrolysis ael concept mid term

HYPRAEL reaches its Mid-Term Review: progress and next challenges

Posted on by

HYPRAEL project, dedicated to the development of advanced alkaline electrolysis technology for the production of H2 under pressure with near-zero energy loss potential, has reached a key milestone: its Mid-Term Review. During this event, all consortium partners met to discuss the progress made to date and to map out the strategies needed to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

With nine ambitious targets, HYPRAEL continues to set a promising course towards the future of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. The meeting highlighted the collaborative work between the partners, which has enabled initial hurdles to be overcome and a solid foundation to be laid for the next phases of the project. However, it was also recognised that there is still a long way to go to reach the final goal.

As the project progresses, participants remain committed to continue innovating and collaborating to achieve the set objectives.

hyprael-electrolysis-aragon-hydrogen-foundation-alkaline-electrolysis

HYPRAEL Project: significant progress made in testing phase

Posted on by

The HYPRAEL project, a collaborative effort aimed at developing innovative materials for alkaline water electrolysis, has achieved significant milestones during its recent progress meeting.

Fraunhofer IFAM, a key partner in the project, announced its readiness to conduct tests on dimensional stable electrodes. This crucial step will contribute to the development of promising materials for the project’s overall objectives.

Fraunhofer IWS is also making strides, focusing on the development of catalyst-coated separator electrodes. Their work is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and performance of the alkaline water electrolysis system.

VECO, another consortium member, is actively engaged in flow cell tests and modeling. Their efforts are crucial for understanding and optimizing the system’s behavior under various operating conditions.

Syensqo has been working diligently on the development of high-pressure optimized separators, a critical component for the project’s success. Green Hydrogen Systems, on the other hand, is concentrating on the high-pressure stack and gas crossover issues in alkaline water electrolysis.

Finally, the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation is dedicated to adapting and upgrading the testbench infrastructure to support the project’s testing needs.

The progress made by these partners demonstrates the collaborative nature of the HYPRAEL project and the dedication of all involved to achieving its ambitious goals. As the project moves forward, the consortium members are confident in their ability to deliver groundbreaking advancements in the field of alkaline water electrolysis.

syensqo-hydrogen-council-hyprael

Syensqo aims to advance clean energy solutions as a steering member of the Hydrogen Council

Posted on by

Syensqo, partner of HYPRAEL project, renews the Hydrogen Council membership previously held under Solvay, reaffirming the company’s commitment to playing a leading role in accelerating the energy transition.

Syensqo, a science company focused on developing clean and renewable solutions that support the sustainability ambitions of its customers, is now a steering member of the Hydrogen Council. This membership will allow Syensqo to play a leading role in the Council’s strategic decision making processes and the development of the emerging green hydrogen economy, in line with the work carried out by the company’s Green Hydrogen Growth Platform.

Read more here!

hyprael-project-advances-to-the-green-hydrogen

HYPRAEL Project Forges Ahead: Challenges and progress on the road to high-pressure green hydrogen

Posted on by

HYPRAEL project, dedicated to developing advanced alkaline electrolysis technology for pressurized green hydrogen production, continues its exciting journey. While the path is paved with challenges, all partners remain dedicated to their designated tasks, pushing the project steadily forward.

This innovative project aims to revolutionize hydrogen production by eliminating or greatly reducing the need for separate compression stages. This not only reduces energy consumption but also simplifies infrastructure and lowers costs. However, achieving such advancements doesn’t come without hurdles.

The HYPRAEL team is actively tackling these challenges head-on. From material development to component optimization and its integration, each partner is laser-focused on their specific area of expertise. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of technology are carefully addressed and refined.

Having said that, it is understood that HYPRAEL project holds immense potential for the future of clean energy. By successfully producing pressurized green hydrogen, the project can significantly improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen production, paving the way for a wider adoption of this sustainable fuel source.

breakthrough-in-green-hydrogen-production-pressurized-alkaline-electrolysis-with-near-zero-energy-loss-hyprael

Breakthrough in green hydrogen production: Pressurized alkaline electrolysis with near-zero energy loss

Posted on by

The race for clean energy solutions is on, and hydrogen is a frontrunner. But current methods of hydrogen production often come with drawbacks, like high energy consumption. A new project, however, is aiming to revolutionize the game with advanced alkaline electrolysis technology for pressurized hydrogen (H2) production with the potential for near-zero energy loss.

Electrolysis: The Power of Splitting Water

Electrolysis is a process that uses electricity to split water (H2O) into its constituent elements: hydrogen and oxygen. This green hydrogen can then be used in fuel cells to generate clean electricity, power vehicles, or fuel industrial processes.

The Challenge: Energy Efficiency

While electrolysis offers a clean way to produce hydrogen, the process itself can be energy-intensive. Traditional methods often require additional compression steps to reach the high pressures needed for storage and transportation. This compression adds a significant energy cost, reducing the overall efficiency of hydrogen production.

HYPRAEL: A Game-Changer

Enter HYPRAEL, a European Union-funded project developing the next generation of advanced alkaline electrolysers (AELs). These AELs aim to produce hydrogen gas at high pressures (at least 80 bar, ideally 100 bar), eliminating the need for separate compression stages.

Benefits of Pressurized Hydrogen Production:

  • Reduced Energy Consumption: By eliminating the compression step, HYPRAEL technology promises to significantly improve the overall energy efficiency of hydrogen production.
  • Lower Costs: Reduced energy usage translates to lower production costs, making green hydrogen more competitive with traditional fossil fuels.
  • Simplified Infrastructure: Eliminating the need for separate compression stations simplifies the hydrogen production infrastructure.
  • Safer Storage and Transportation: High-pressure hydrogen requires less storage space and can be transported more efficiently.

Beyond Efficiency: A Greener Future

HYPRAEL’s advanced alkaline electrolysis technology holds immense potential for a more sustainable future. By making green hydrogen production more efficient and cost-effective, it can accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and pave the way for a cleaner, greener energy landscape.

The Future of HYPRAEL

The project is currently in its development. As research progresses, we can expect to see further advancements in this exciting technology. With continued innovation, HYPRAEL’s pressurized alkaline electrolysis could become a game-changer in the race for clean and sustainable hydrogen production.

2024-eh2-valleys-h2territory-hydrogen-valleys-aragon-hydrogen-foundation

Electrolysis takes center stage at the European Hydrogen Valleys 2024

Posted on by

Looking to explore the future of green hydrogen? This 5-6 September 2024, join Hydrogen Europe at the European Hydrogen Valleys in Riga, Latvia. This pivotal event brings together the most promising emerging companies in the hydrogen space with established investors, corporate partners, and industry experts.

Electrolysis, a critical technology for hydrogen generation, will be a key topic of discussion. The event also features dedicated subtracks on storage and other crucial aspects of the hydrogen value chain.

Don’t miss this opportunity to:

  • Learn about the latest advancements in electrolysis technology.
  • Network with leading players in the hydrogen sector.
  • Explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities.

Register now and be part of the future of hydrogen!

Link to Event: https://digitaltechsummit.eu/events/2024/9/event-european-hydrogen-valleys-2024%5B3%5D.html?pageId=7738391

hyprael-at-the-international-thermal-spray-conference-itsc-2024-fraunhofer-aragon-hydrogen-foundation

HYPRAEL at the International Thermal Spray Conference (ITSC) 2024

Posted on by
The HYPRAEL project proudly participated in the recent International Thermal Spray Conference and Exposition (ITSC) held in Milan, Italy, from April 29th to May 1st, 2024. ITSC is a premier event for the thermal spraying community, attracting leading researchers and industry professionals from around the world.

Fraunhofer IWS, a key partner in the HYPRAEL project, presented its ongoing research and advancements related to Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS) technology for Solid Electrolyte Assemblies (SEAs) within the HYPRAEL project.

hyprael-at-the-international-thermal-spray-conference-itsc-2024-electrolysis-fraunhofer

This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the field of hydrogen fuel cells by offering a more efficient and cost-effective method for producing SEAs, a critical component in fuel cell technology.

The HYPRAEL project team showcased their work at the Fraunhofer IWS booth, engaging with attendees and sparking discussions about the potential of APS-coated SEAs for hydrogen fuel cell applications.

The presentation generated significant interest from the specialized hydrogen audience, highlighting the growing importance of thermal spraying technologies in the development of next-generation fuel cells.

While the ITSC conference has concluded, the HYPRAEL project continues its groundbreaking research. We are committed to advancing APS technology for SEAs and contributing to a more sustainable future powered by hydrogen.

hyprael-hannover-messe-2024-electrolysis-electrolyser-aragon-hydrogen-foundation

Fraunhofer presented HYPRAEL at Hannover Messe 2024

Posted on by

Hydrogen & Fuel Cells was one of the topics and trends at the Hannover Messe 2024. 

The world’s leading industrial trade fair, HANNOVER MESSE, is set to be a hub for innovation in clean energy. Over 500 exhibitors from the hydrogen and fuel cell sector showcased their latest advancements, fostering collaboration and accelerating the path towards a global emissions-free future. The Hall 13 was a central location for these exhibitors, including the exclusive Hydrogen + Fuel Cells EUROPE community. This concentration of expertise offered a dynamic environment for attendees to explore the full potential of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

Our partner Fraunhofer presented HYPRAEL

At the Fraunhofer IWS and Fraunhofer IFAM booth at Hannover Messe 2024, research results of the institute were presented, including atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) coated SEA from the HYPRAEL project.

hannover-messe-electrolysis-hypraelhannover-messe-hyprael-fraunhofer-ifam-sea-green-hydrogen

 

 

fraunhofer-75-years-of-innovation-hyprael-aragon-hydrogen-foundation

Fraunhofer: 75 Years of Innovation

Posted on by

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, one of the world’s leading applied research organizations, is celebrating its 75th anniversary on March 26.

Press Release

“Just like its namesake, Fraunhofer stands for bringing pioneering research and entrepreneurship together. The efficient and sustainable transfer of scientific knowledge into real-world applications is the common thread running through our 75-year history. Our success is based on the commitment of over 30,000 employees, who work hard every day to develop innovative solutions for current and future markets, thereby giving our partners a decisive advantage in the international competition. We would like to thank them all,” explained Prof. Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, on the occasion of the anniversary. Government, business and society worldwide are currently facing major challenges and changes. “Our market-driven research is actively contributing to a sustainable, secure and prosperous future. I am proud to be part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and to be involved in shaping the future.”

Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research, said: “The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has been shaping the German scientific system for 75 years now. It conducts research for real-world applications, keeping an eye on new technologies and markets. Fraunhofer stands for successful transfers and a vibrant start-up culture. It dares to make progress. All of this is becoming increasingly important in the face of growing international competition. As a country of innovation, we must not only conduct excellent research but also utilize the results in the domestic economy. The ace up our sleeve is our collaboration and ecosystems with partners from science and industry. The success of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is driven by its employees, who master the balancing act between research and entrepreneurial thinking on a daily basis and are committed to finding solutions.”

Dr. Markus Söder, Bavarian Minister-President and honorary member of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, added: “Technology is the future! Fraunhofer has been combining cutting-edge research with real-world applications for 75 years and is an international leader in this field. Happy birthday and congratulations on this success! The Free State of Bavaria has been a driving force and close partner right from the start. Fraunhofer and Bavaria form a great alliance, one that we will continue in the future. As part of its High-Tech Agenda, Bavaria is currently investing over 5.5 billion euros in science and research throughout the federal state. In addition to room for 13,000 more students at universities and 1,000 professorships for the brightest minds, we are actively promoting the transfer of knowledge from research to real-world applications. Live long and prosper!”

Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger said: “The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is an indispensable research partner for companies in Bavaria and Germany, paving the way for countless innovations, especially in the German Mittelstand. We are proud that the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is deeply rooted in the Bavarian scientific landscape and is successfully advancing future topics ranging from artificial intelligence and chip design to materials and health research. I am convinced that Fraunhofer can not only proudly look back on a great past but will also be needed more than ever in the future as a driver of innovation for the economy.

Hildegard Müller, Chair of the Senate of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, said: “Fraunhofer is a German success story that proves how innovative, creative and successful our country can be when science, government and business pull together. The idea of aligning research closely with the needs of companies and real-world applications is a unique selling point for Germany as a business location that will secure us competitive advantages in the future.”

The success story of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

On March 26, 1949, State Secretary Hugo Geiger invited 210 scientists, entrepreneurs and members of society to the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. He aimed to help revive the economies of Bavaria and Germany by setting up the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The new research organization was named after Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787–1826), a Munich scholar who was equally successful as a researcher, inventor and entrepreneur.

In line with the needs of the post-war period, research in the early years focused primarily on the fields of mining, metallurgy and mechanical engineering. By electing Hermann von Siemens president in the mid-1950s and founding the first of its institutes, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft gradually evolved to become a mainstay of research in Germany. In the mid-1960s, Fraunhofer was officially designated the German science community’s umbrella organization for applied research.

In the mid-1970s, the Fraunhofer model and its performance-oriented base funding sparked the dynamic success that continues today. Germany’s reunification presented unexpected opportunities to expand. Moving swiftly and resolutely, Fraunhofer was quicker than other research organizations to seize the day, setting up more than 20 new institutes and research units in the states that had newly joined the Federal Republic.

Following the 1984 establishment of the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics, additional Fraunhofer institutes began ramping up their efforts to join forces in 1997, forming thematically focused groups and developing shared marketing concepts and research strategies. In 2015, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft founded its first-ever regional high-performance centers, where Fraunhofer institutes work closely with industry and other research partners on a local basis, covering projects on related topics. The goal was to pool strengths and tap into local potential. In 2020, Fraunhofer launched its Fraunhofer vs. Corona initiative to support the economy and society as a whole in fighting the pandemic.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft as a success model and driver of innovation

Today, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft looks back on a 75-year history full of groundbreaking inventions and solutions to complex technological challenges. Since it was first founded, the organization has continued to grow and evolve, reaching many milestones along the way that reflect its innovative strength across all the different fronts of cutting-edge research. Rising from modest beginnings to international recognition as a research organization, Fraunhofer has always been defined by inventive spirit and entrepreneurial actions — just like our namesake, Joseph von Fraunhofer. Its numerous inventions and developments, ranging from the airbag and mp3 technology to white LEDs and EUV lithography, have made it the German economy’s innovation engine.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft focuses unwaveringly on the needs of business and industry, providing valuable impetus for the evolution of key technologies that help to meet social challenges. The Fraunhofer model, which is based on industrial revenue, public-sector revenue and base funding, and centered on the needs of industry, is unique in the German innovation system. This combination of research, industry, and society also plays a crucial role in shaping the future, which makes it highly important to the entire innovation system. With 76 institutes and research units, more than 30,800 employees, an annual research budget of approximately 3.0 billion euros and many international collaborations, Fraunhofer exerts major impact in the research landscape.

 

Events in the anniversary year

April 22–26: Hannover Messe (Hannover)

May 16–17: Bonner Wissenschaftsnacht (Bonn Science Night) (Bonn)

June 12–13: Fraunhofer annual assembly / Fraunhofer Prize award ceremony (Munich)

June 22: Lange Nacht der Wissenschaft (Long Night of the Sciences) (Berlin)

Science talk with passers-by on the banks of the Spree in front of the Fraunhofer Forum Berlin

June 27–30: Festival der Zukunft (Festival of the Future) (Munich)

May 14 – September 27: MS Wissenschaft floating science center (throughout Germany)

November 1: Berlin Science Week (Berlin)

syensqo-europabio-hyprael-hydrogen-project

Our partner Syensqo joins EuropaBio to accelerate innovation in biotechnology

Posted on by

Syensqo joins forces with key industry players to shape the European biotech framework

Syensqo, previously part of Solvay group, joins EuropaBio, the European Association for BioIndustries. This partnership – which is implemented through the Syensqo Renewable Materials & Biotechnology platform – strengthens Syensqo’s commitment to advancing innovation and growth in biotech, contributing to the transition to a carbon-neutral future.

EuropaBio, recognized as the voice of the biotech industry in Europe, represents companies championing biotechnology and biomanufacturing; the organization’s ambition is to shape a cutting-edge and globally competitive European biotechnology framework for the benefit of European citizens.

“Syensqo is proud to join EuropaBio and work alongside other leading companies and experts in biotechnology. We believe that through collaboration and dialogue, we can create a strong European strategy to address the pressing challenges our society is facing today,” said Thomas Canova, Head of Renewable Materials & Biotechnology Growth Platform. “Joining EuropaBio reflects our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and advancing humanity through biotechnology.”

Dr. Claire Skentelbery, Director General of EuropaBio: “We are delighted to welcome Syensqo to the EuropaBio community. It is representative of industrial transition and focus into biotechnology as a fundamental component of future society, economy and sustainability. Together we build Europe’s future.”

As a member of EuropaBio, Syensqo will expand its network, gain insights into emerging trends and technologies, and enhance its visibility in the European and global biotech communities while working cooperatively with other industrial players to advocate for a stronger biotechnology framework in Europe.

Combining chemistry and biology for more sustainable solutions

Syensqo’s Renewable Materials and Biotechnology platform, launched in 2022, focuses on developing innovative and sustainable solutions using renewable feedstocks and biotechnology. It aims to meet growing demand for sustainable solutions by increasing the share of sustainable renewable carbon in Syensqo’s product offering and developing new business opportunities enabled by biotechnology. The platform’s ambition relies on a holistic innovation approach with three interconnected pillars: sustainable renewable carbon, biotechnology and end-of-life management.

About Syensqo

Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates in 30 countries.

Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.

Learn more at www.syensqo.com

About EuropaBio

EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, promotes an innovative and dynamic European biotechnology industry. EuropaBio and its members are committed to the socially responsible use of biotechnology to improve quality of life; to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure diseases; to improve the quality and quantity of food and feedstuffs and to move towards a biobased and zero-waste economy. EuropaBio represents corporate and associate members, plus national biotechnology associations and bioregions.

Read more about our work at www.europabio.org