With increased share of energy generated from variable renewable sources, storagebecomes a critical issue to ensure constantly balanced supply/demand.Methane is a promising vector for energy storage and transport.
Within the Flexnode Plus project the long-term degradation characteristics of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer (5.5 kW, AC, 1 Nm3/h H2) and fuel cell (1.0 kW, DC, 0.9 Nm3/h) was experimentally tested. The electrolyzer unit was operated at various loads and pressures for approximately 750 hours in total, while the fuel cell was operated at a constant load of 1 Ω resistance for approximately 1120 hours in total. The efficiency of the hydrogen production in the electrolyzer and the electricity production in the fuel cell was expressed using the hourly average system efficiency and average cell efficiency. Inorder to predict the state of health and remaining lifetime of the electrolyzer cell and fuel cell, the decay of the cell voltage over time was monitored and the direct mapping from aging data method was used.The electrolyzer cell showed a stable cell voltage and cell efficiency in the studied time period, with an average cell voltage decay rate of 0.5 μV/h. The average cell voltage of the fuel cell dropped with a rate of 2 μV/h during the studied time period.
This paper proposes a Hybrid Microgrid (HμG) model including distributed generation (DG) and a hydrogen-based storage system, controlled through a tailored control strategy. The HμG is composed of three DG units, two of them supplied by solar and wind sources, and the latter one based on the exploitation of theProton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology. Furthermore, the system includes an alkaline electrolyser, which is used as a responsive load to balance the excess of Variable Renewable Energy Sources (VRES) production, and to produce the hydrogen that will be stored into the hydrogen tank and that will be used to supply the fuel cell in case of lack of generation. The main objectives of this work are to present a validated dynamic model for every component of the HμG and to provide a strategy to reduce as much as possible the power absorption from the grid by exploiting the VRES production. The alkaline electrolyser and PEM fuel cell models are validated through real measurements. The State of Charge (SoC) of the hydrogen tank is adjusted through an adaptive scheme. Furthermore, the designed supervisor power control allows reducing the power exchange and improving the system stability. Finally, a case, considering a summer load profile measured in an electrical substation of Politecnico di Torino, is presented. The results demonstrates the advantages of a hydrogen-based micro-grid, where the hydrogen is used as medium to store the energy produced by photovoltaic and wind systems, with the aim to improve the self-sufficiency of the system
MULTIFILE
In Gelderland at industriepark Kleefsewaard, a prominent knowledge hub for hydrogen technology has been developed, featuring key industry players and research groups contributing to innovative and cost-effective hydrogen technologies. However, the region faces a challenge in the lack of available test equipment for hydrogen innovations. In Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) technology, a route to follow is to create hydrogen more efficiently with stacks that can operate under high pressure (50 bar – 200 bar). This results in compact hydrogen storage. Research must be done to understand crossover effects which become more apparent at these high pressure conditions. The overall goal is to design a Balanced of Plant (BOP) system, incorporating Process Flow Diagram (PFD) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) elements, alongside hydrogen purification systems and gas-liquid separators, for a test setup operating AEM stacks at 200 bar. De Nooij Stainless contributes by designing and fabricating a gas liquid separator, addressing challenges such as compatibility, elevated temperatures, and hydrogen safety. ON2Quest collaborates in supporting the design of a hydrogen purification system and the Balance of Plant (BoP), ensuring flexibility for testing future stacks and hydrogen purification components. HyET E-Trol specializes in high pressure (up to 200 bar) AEM electrolyser stacks and is responsible for providing problem statements and engineering challenges related to the (Balanced of Plant) BoP of AEM systems, and contributes in solving them. Subsequent projects will feature test sequences centered on other stacks, allowing for testing stacks from other companies. The resulting framework will provide a foundation for ongoing advancements, with contributions from each partner playing a crucial role in achieving the project's goals.
The program is structured in five tasks, of which three are technical by nature and two are on integration and enabling aspects. The technical tasks are infrastructure, offshore and large-scale storage of hydrogen. The enabling task is safety, standardization and regulation, which is a key boundary condition for the successful development of a hydrogen infrastructure. As overarching task the aspect of upscaling and system integration is analysed. Both the enabling and overarching tasks are strongly linked to the technical tasks and require active interaction between those tasks to be successful. Our consortium enables productive interactions by facilitating knowledge sharing, joint research projects, technology transfer, policy advocacy, public engagement, and standardization efforts. These interactions not only enhance the research and development outcomes within the consortium but also contribute to the broader societal and economic benefits of a hydrogen-based energy transition.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the final waste product for all carbon-containing products. Its reuse will partly mitigate climate change and, in addition, provide a valuable feedstock for fuels and chemicals. Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (ZUYD), Innosyn B.V., and Chemtrix B.V. will develop a flow reactor for photochemical reactions with gases conducted at high pressure. This reactor is the necessary first development towards artificial photosynthesis: the connection of hydrogen (H2) to the ultimate waste product CO2 to store energy in a chemical bond, in order to produce so-called solar fuels and C1-chemicals/products. With an increasing amount of renewables in the energy system, energy storage becomes increasingly important to continuously match supply and demand. In a cooperation between three ZUYD research groups with Chemtrix B.V. and Innosyn B.V., multiple cost-efficient reactor designs for this flow reactor will be analyzed and two designs will be selected to be implemented by small extensions of existing equipment. Simultaneously, two appropriate test re-actions involving a gas (E-Z isomerization followed by hydrogenation) and with a CO2 analogue (a hydrogenation of a carboxylic acid) will be developed to be conducted in the reactor when the con-struction has been finished. We aim to disseminate the new capabilities developed in this KIEM proposal by the project partners with respect to the new reactors to several selected stakeholders. Furthermore, to expand the project several options (SIA-RAAK and H2020 grants) will be explored.
