Innovating Works

HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-01

Cerrada

Temáticas obligatorias de los proyectos para la ayuda HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-01

Temática principal:
ExpectedOutcome:To realise the potential of hydrogen as an energy vector in the decarbonised economy it needs to be produced sustainably on a mass scale. Steam electrolysis based on proton conducting ceramic electrolysis cells (PCCEL) is a promising technology for directly producing dry hydrogen, and achieving high electrical stack efficiency and low degradation rate due to its operation at intermediate temperature, typically between 450°C and 700°C. PCCEL stack technology in Europe is currently based on tubular cells integrating Ni-cermet electrodes, BaZr1-x-yCexYyO3-d based electrolytes, and composite electrodes containing Cobalt (Co) and various rare earth elements. The intermediate operating temperature of this technology can be leveraged to replace these materials by e.g. cheaper steel-based components to reduce reliance on critical raw materials and strategic raw materials (CSRM) such as Co, rare earth elements, Nickel (Ni) etc. It will furthermore contribute to increasing lifetime by reducing thermally activated degradation and improving Faradaic efficiency. This calls for a new design approach of PCCEL cell and stack, ensuring the development of high-performance cell and stack with reduced amount of CRM and CSRM. This will further contribute to significant reduction of CAPEX of the technology. ExpectedOutcome:To realise the potential of hydrogen as an energy vector in the decarbonised economy it needs to be produced sustainably on a mass scale. Steam electrolysis based on proton conducting ceramic electrolysis cells (PCCEL) is a promising technology for directly producing dry hydrogen, and achieving high electrical stack efficiency and low degradation rate due to its operation at intermediate temperature, typically between 450°C and 700°C. PCCEL stack technology in Europe is currently based on tubular cells integrating Ni-cermet electrodes, BaZr1-x-yCexYyO3-d based electrolytes, and composite electrodes containing Cobalt (Co) and various rare earth elements. The intermediate operating temperature of this technology can be leveraged to replace these materials by e.g. cheaper steel-based components to reduce reliance on critical raw materials and strategic raw materials (CSRM) such as Co, rare earth elements, Nickel (Ni) etc. It will furthermore contribute to increasing lifetime by reducing thermally activated degradation and improving Faradaic efficiency. This calls for a new design approach of PCCEL cell and stack, ensuring the development of high-performance cell and stack with reduced amount of CRM and CSRM. This will further contribute to significant reduction of CAPEX of the technology.
Hydrogen Technology Renewable Energies Materials Science