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Hydrogen storage standardisation and components optimization for mass production

 

Specific challenge: Today’s on board hydrogen storage systems for fuel cell powered vehicles do not yet meet cost and performance targets for a broader market introduction, neither for light nor for  heavy duty vehicles. This is due to low production volume, proprietary system design, component concepts which are not suitable for mass production and the non-existence of a competitive supplier market.

While in the field of hydrogen infrastructure and supply standardisation activities are in a more advanced state, on the on board storage component level the variety of component designs is still very high. Such components are for example the pressure vessel, the on-tank valve, the Pressure Regulation Devices, the pressure regulator, hydrogen pressure and temperature sensors, the fittings and the seals of the high pressure lines.

From a customer’s point of view these components do not lead to a competitive advantage of one vehicle manufacturer over another as long as the system works within its specification.

A standardisation of systems, processes and components is therefore an efficient means to accelerate market introduction of automotive hydrogen storage technology including qualification of a capable supplier base. Standardisation of hydrogen storage components will lead to generally agreed interfaces and specifications and ultimately to higher production volumes of such components.

Scope:  The hydrogen storage technologies that are closest to the market are currently the 70 MPa compressed hydrogen storage for passenger cars and 35 MPa compressed hydrogen storage for vans and heavy duty vehicles. New storage concepts (cryo-compressed hydrogen storage at 30 MPa) are considered within the scope of this topic, provided that these fulfil all requirements for automotive applications. The work should target a reduction in terms of variety of components and modular designs aiming at decreased development time and cost and facilitating certification.

The work items should be the following:

•             Identification and selection of on board storage system components (sub systems) with the objective of no competitive advantage / differentiation for the OEMs

•             Alignment of specifications and interfaces for each component / sub system

•             Definition and agreement of standardized test procedures, taking into consideration the standards of the EU and of relevant non EU countries (e.g. Japan, USA)

•             Generation of input for further development of each component in order to respond to requirements of OEMs and concepts for modular design

•             Benchmarking of component concepts

•             Selection, modification and development of components complying with the agreed specifications

•             Evaluation of possible cost reductions with novel standardized components

•             Proposals for standardized hydrogen storage system components to be transferred to industry standards, codes and regulations

Current TRL for most storage components is between 4 and 6. The objective of the proposed topic would be to raise the TRL by 2, achieving a range of 6 to 8 depending on the individual components and sub systems.

Expected impact:

•             A range of hydrogen storage components suitable for standardization on a world-wide level

•             Standardized interfaces between selected components and other components of the hydrogen storage system and the drive train

•             Accepted test procedures for selected components, like those developed by the JRC.

•             Demonstration of a cost reduction to 800 €/kg H2 stored through standardized components and interfaces in mass production

•             Standards for selected components, ready to be transferred to industry standards, codes and regulations

•             Whitepapers for RCS