Development and implementation of online monitoring and diagnostic tools for electrolysers

In previous projects [See detailed list in the expected outcome section], proof of concepts of smart sensing technologies and functionalities have been integrated into the Management System. The main objective is, thus, focused on the development of monitoring tools and diagnostic techniques integrated in an Electrolyser Management System (EMS) that can range from processing conventional signals to advanced techniques including Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Physical and virtual sensor development should be addressed in the advanced solutions to be developed.

The scope of this topic is to further develop methods and tools for monitoring and diagnostics of electrolyser systems and demonstrate these at an industrially relevant scale (> 100 kW) on one electrolyser type. Such tools would help reduce OPEX by making dynamic operation more durable and reliable, reducing degradation on the system, and increasing the system efficiency. The commercial utilisation and exploitation should be clearly considered in the project.

Proposals should address the following:

• Develop a generic open-access monitoring and diagnostic platform that enables interoperability and thus allow for its utilisation by different electrolyser technologies;
• Identify suitable cell, stack and system level monitoring parameters which indicate a possible critical state of the cell/stack/module within the system;
• Develop reliable diagnostic algorithms to determine the remaining useful lifetime depending on the state of health of the cell components/cell/stack/module. Both physical model-based approaches and data-driven approaches are eligible;
• Develop the hardware for the implementation of these advanced Monitoring, Diagnostic and Lifetime Prediction tools that is able to interact with common control units and power electronics of the electrolyser system to trigger counter actions;
• Validate the diagnostic approach and the developed hardware for monitoring and lifetime prediction on at least two technologies (PEMEL, AEL, AEMEL or SOEL) in laboratory scale;
• Develop and propose strategies to sustain performance and improve durability of cells, stacks and systems for each tested technology. Demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy on short stack level or larger;
• Demonstrate functionality and resilience of the devices on electrolysers of power > 100 kW operated in representative or real conditions on at least one technology (PEM, AEL or SOEL), including fluctuating RES electricity input. Any demonstrator used in the proof-of-concept phase should already exist or be funded by other projects (TRL 6);
• Provide the prospect to integrate the tool for real time simultaneous monitoring of multiple stack and module key parameters and indicators. The EMS will receive output data in real-time from physical/virtual sensors of the EMS;

Proposals may address the following:

• Establish database of the measured experimental data to help future efforts into the development of new electrolyser operation schemes.
• Ensure the efficiency of the monitoring system in all kinds of environments.

Proposals are encouraged to explore synergies with projects within the metrology research programme run under the EURAMET research programmes EMPIR and EMRP (in particular on metrology for standardised seawater pHT measurements and metrology for ocean salinity and acidity).

For activities developing test protocols and procedures for the performance and durability assessment of electrolysers and fuel cell components, proposals should foresee a collaboration with JRC (see section 2.2.4.3 "Collaboration with JRC"), in order to support EU-wide harmonisation. Test activities should adopt the already published EU harmonised testing protocols (including Accelerated Stress Testing protocols) to benchmark performance and quantify progress at programme level.

For additional elements applicable to all topics please refer to section 2.2.3.2.

Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project - see General Annex B.

The JU estimates that an EU contribution of maximum EUR 4.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.