GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The project should explore some of the following innovations: ​

• New electrocatalysts and electrode materials for alkaline water electrolysis operating at high current density and high energy efficiency based on non-platinum group metals, and preferably on non-critical materials;
• Novel concepts of porous transport electrodes free of precious metal coatings with integrated micro-porous-layer and electrocatalysts;
• Explore new electrode production technologies for more efficient mass production (e.g., advanced electroplating, plasma spraying, physical vapor deposition), combined with development of electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrolysis;
• Improve the separators and/or (microporous) membranes, reaching higher ionic conductivities (enabling higher current densities), improved mechanical properties (enabling thinner membranes), lower gas cross-over (enabling operation at lower load points without safety issues)​;
• Realise the novel proposed AEL short stack at the scale of at least 10 kW, with a minimum cell area of 100 cm2 and at least 10 cells for the stack, validating in a laboratory environment the specific performance targets;
• Investigate the potential to increase the temperature to a higher operating window. Develop new alkaline electrolysis systems operating at high temperature, validated at small scales, to improve the operational temperature and energy efficiency (e.g., over 95°C and below 48 kWh/kg);
• Advanced thermal management to shorten start-up time from warm stand-by, (e.g., by intelligent heat storage or insulation schemes);
• Reduce the use of noble metals and critical raw materials, improving the life cycle assessment aspects;
• Moving a step forward with respect to testing procedures and standardised qualifying tests (e.g., considering results from Qualygrids project as well as referring to JRC standardised protocols).