Project
Excellence
Hydrogen production from current low temperature water electrolysers is already demonstrated on large scale and mass production and it is beginning to be competitive also from an economic point of view.
However, for storage, transportation, conversion and uses, hydrogen needs to be compressed to higher pressure levels to increase the density (kg/m3) and the volumetric energy density and the mechanical compression of H2 is costly, especially critical for the range up to 50-80bar.
Objectives and ambition
HYPRAEL brings an innovative AEL concept for a dramatical change in efficiency, lifetime, Green Hydrogen Cost Reduction, and reducing the total cost of ownership of H2 in low temperature electrolysis.
This requires the further development of thin separators that today fail to avoid gas-crossover, highly efficient electrodes and porous transport layers designs free of PGM/CRM compositions along disruptive cell design concepts that can withstand the combination of pressure and temperature. For applications requiring pressurized hydrogen the compression can be done in mainly two ways: using a standard mechanical compressor downstream to the electrolyser; or by increasing the operating pressure of the electrolyser. HYPRAEL will also improve the energy efficiency of the alkaline electrolyser’s cell stack.
Objectives
Improve energy efficiency by 2-4 % Lower Heating Value (LHV) compared to the use of a mechanical compressor in the range 30 to 80 bar.
Long-term stable and highly active materials improving stack durability for harsh environment conditions.
Increase system and components reliability and significantly reduce compression energy needs.
Evaluate the potential value of H2 produced above state-of-the-art pressure to decarbonise our economy.
Strengthen circular economy. HYPRAEL minimizes resource use and fosters valorising subproducts, waste streams and heat recovery.
Direct scalability to MW electrolyser operation. Experimental evaluation at stack level of the best novel components developed (50kW as the last step).
Contribution to renewable energy share growth. HYPRAEL will evaluate the value of electrolyser for the power system through their ability to allow higher integration of renewables.
Keep European leadership in the front of innovation for market competitive hydrogen production to strengthen energy security and diversify the energy supply in Europe.
Awareness increases of HYPRAEL findings, outcomes and key exploitable results. Awareness is the first point to be raised in different groups, as it is the initial step to generate interest and engage stakeholders, potential end users, scientific community, and general society.
Impact
HYPRAEL will save energy and cost contributing to advance the scientific basis through international cooperation while positioning Europe at the leadership of renewable and clean hydrogen production and components and system manufacturing along the hydrogen production value chain and reinforcing its potential to export mass-scale pressurized clean hydrogen.
HYPRAEL tackles 8 of the 17 existent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015: SDG 13-Climate Action, SDG 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 7- Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 12- Sustainable Consumption and Production.
It indirectly contributes also to SDG 3 (Good health and well-being as prevents pollution), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (Life below water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals; through international partnerships).
