Production, use and storage of hydrogen (PUSH)

Background

The European Union as well as several countries have formulated hydrogen strategies that describe the importance of hydrogen as an energy vector when moving towards a zero-emission Europe. In this regard there is a need for more sustainable, economic and energy-efficient processes for hydrogen production, storage and distribution, and use, on a large scale. Electrolysis of water provides a clean and emission-free route for the direct transfer of renewable electrical energy into hydrogen gas. Traditionally the hydrogen is stored and distributed as gas, although the volumetric energy density is low. Using liquid hydrogen carriers that are easier to store and distribute may be complementing methods. The use of hydrogen and fuel cells in the road transport sector is in an early stage, but growing. If including also maritime and aviation sectors, the potential is huge.Large amounts of hydrogen arealso used in the industry sector, and access to renewable sources will be essential for its sustainability.

Aims

The main goal of this research centre is to address scientific and technical hurdles impeding the widespread use of hydrogen in sustainable energy systems, by combining activities on production, storage and distribution, and use of hydrogen in a single coordinated research effort.

Research approach

The project focusseson the most critical research issues for the development of hydrogen for a sustainable society. To achieve breakthroughs in the areas, complementary competences are combinedin PUSH and studiesfrom molecular to system levelareundertaken. For hydrogen production we focus on polymer membrane electrolytic cells based on new classes of alkaline membranes, which enable the use of abundant catalyst material such as nickel and are better adopted to respond to fast load changes. For storage and distribution of hydrogen, so-called liquid organic hydrogen carriers arestudied. System studies investigating the viability of liquid hydrogen carriers for storage and distribution of hydrogen as part of an energy system involving both stationary and mobile use are also undertaken. For the use of hydrogen, advanced proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) operating at enhanced temperatures, and mainlyfor use in the transport sector, arein focus.

The research centre is a collaboration with Chalmers Technical University, Lund University, Umeå University and RISE.

Keywords

hydrogen, electrolysis, fuel cell, liquid organic hydrogen carriers(LOHC), high-temperature PEMFC, membrane electrolyte, ion exchange membrane electrolysis

Project leaders

Prof. Göran Lindbergh (Main applicant), Prof. Rakel Wreland Lindström, Assoc. Prof.Stefan Grönkvist, Assist. Prof. Efthymios Kantarelis, Prof. Ann Cornell, Prof. Carina Lagergren, Assist. Prof. Daniel Harding, Dept of Chemical Engineering, KTH

Other project members

Martina Butori (PhD student), Burak Koyuturk (postdoc), Dept of Chemical Engineering, KTH

Other funding agency

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) through grant number ARC19-0026.

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