Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

Programme Category

Programme

Article available in the following languages:

EN

Proof-of-concept of HT electrolysers at a scale > 70 kW

 

Proposals should address:

  • The design and construction of a HT electrolyser including all balance of plant components for thermal, gas and electrical management, with:
    • Minimum capacity of 70 kW
    • Overall electrical efficiency on or above 68% based on higher heating value
    • Lifetime of at least 2,000 hours.
  • In-field tests of the HT electrolyser system in a relevant environment for at least 6 months
  • Assessment of the techno-economic performance of HT electrolysis in comparison to other water electrolysis technologies

HT electrolysis has great advantages in terms of thermodynamics and transport phenomena, good possibilities of thermal optimization (through system integration), and so high potential of high value efficiency. Necessarily it has to demonstrate its potential.

HT electrolysis allows reaching much higher efficiencies compared to water electrolysis, which makes this process of prime interest for hydrogen production for different applications (hydrogen production for transportation or other direct industrial usages and renewable energies integration and storage). In this case, materials selection and/or development is necessary.

Considering economic factors, some studies exist with CAPEX and OPEX analysis, leading to a levelized cost of hydrogen for the size of installation considered[[M. Reytier, S. Di Iorio, A. Chatroux, M. Petitjean, J. Cren, J. Mougin, “Stack Performances in High Temperature Steam Electrolysis and Co-Electrolysis”, WHEC2014, June 15th-20th 2014, Gwangju, Korea (2014)”]]. F

The proposal is expected to have the following impacts:

  • Contribution to achieve a target efficiency as indicated in the “Electrolysis Study” from FCH-JU, decreasing electricity consumption to below 40 kWh/kg H2
  • In-field tests of HT electrolysis under representative conditions and scale as reported in the scope section and validation of the target performances
  • Identification of business cases where HT electrolysis is more cost competitive than PEM and alkaline electrolysis