Project description
Innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient electrolysers
Electrolysis technologies are pivotal in the transition to renewable energy solutions, with proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers emerging as some of the most used, experiencing growth in both usage and efficiency. However, PEM’s reliance on perfluorinated and critical raw materials has raised environmental concerns and fears of higher prices. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the VITAL project aims to address this challenge by developing a cost-effective, fluorine-free membrane solution using non-critical raw materials. The project will demonstrate this electrolyser system for hydrogen (H2) generation, emphasising its high performance and scalability. The membrane will utilise a recyclable olefin polymer membrane within in-situ-grown catalysts, thereby avoiding the use of platinum group metals.
Objective
Electrolysis technologies are pivotal in accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Among them, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, currently stand at an installed capacity of 0.92 GW and continue to grow, in view of their desirable performance traits such as high operating currents and fast response.
However, their reliance on perfluorinated materials such as Poly(Trifluoroethenesulfonyl Fluoride) (C2F4O2S)n for core parts (membrane and catalyst binder), and critical raw materials (iridium and platinum for catalysts), raises environmental concerns due to the recycling challenges of forever chemicals –the EU weighs a complete ban for forever chemicals such as Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), and cost. The reliance on noble metal catalysts, especially iridium, does not contribute to high capital costs, but poses scalability concerns due to the extremely limited availability of iridium. Overall, these hinder the sustainability prospects of PEM technologies at scale, and their widespread commercialization. These underscore the pressing need for innovative strategies to realize sustainable and efficient electrolyzers.
VITAL (Cost-effectiVe materIals for susTainAble eLectrolyzers) addresses these challenges through the development of novel, fluorine-free membranes, integrated with cost-effective, non-critical raw materials. VITAL aims to demonstrate electrolyzer systems for H2 generation which combine sustainable scalability and performance. VITAL innovation relies on the development of fluorine-free membrane electrode assemblies, implemented through a recyclable olefin polymer membrane paired with in situ grown catalysts; free of platinum group metals (PGMs), and designed to achieve competitive performance for H2 electrosynthesis. This project addresses the need for scalable and sustainable electrolysis, vital in the shift towards renewable energy sources, and reducing fossil fuel dependency.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- engineering and technology chemical engineering separation technologies
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08860 Castelldefels
Spain
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