Market analysis of the hydrogen sector for anion exchange membrane electrolysis and fuel cells

Project Information

MarketHy

Grant agreement ID: 101194586

DOI

10.3030/101194586

Project closed

EC signature date 6 November 2024

Start date 1 December 2024

End date 30 November 2025

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MarketHy (Market analysis of the hydrogen sector for anion exchange membrane electrolysis and fuel cells)

Reporting period: 2024-12-01 to 2025-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The hydrogen market is growing exponentially with the increasing needs to displace fossil fuels from the energy, transport and manufacturing sectors. With the demanding targets set by the EU, innovative technologies for hydrogen production and use need to be
accelerated. Anion exchange membrane systems offers a more economic alternative compared to the more established proton exchange membranes, by avoiding the use of perfluorinated substances, as well as working in environments that allow the utilisation of low or
platinum group metal (PGM)-free electrocatalysts. In addition, saline electrolytes can serve as models for more stringent wastewater or seawater that can be used directly in electrolysers. However, further innovation is required on stable components operating under these
conditions. The technical solutions to these problems are the main goals of the EIC funded projects ANEMEL and ENABLER, but a dedicated work looking at the exploitation was not considered in the individual projects. Therefore, this projects aims at developing
a common strategy for innovation in the hydrogen market sector. Relevant research questions to answer are the understanding on the market size for anion exchange membrane water electrolysers and fuel cells, the value chain, the techno-economic analysis of different
resources for the manufacturing of the devices, and the identification of the barriers to commercialisation. Overall, the expected outcome is a roadmap that serves as an initial exploitation strategy for the innovations developed as part of the ANEMEL and ENABLER projects.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

At the end of the action, MarketHy delivered a consolidated techno-economic assessment of low-PGM and PGM-free electrocatalysts for AEM electrolysis and fuel cell applications, building on the experimental performance and durability data generated within ANEMEL and ENABLER. The assessment evaluated catalyst composition, loading, achievable current densities, efficiency, and lifetime, translating these parameters into stack- and system-level cost indicators. Particular emphasis was placed on quantifying the impact of reduced platinum-group metal content on capital expenditure, exposure to raw-material price volatility, and long-term cost of ownership, demonstrating the potential of AEM systems to achieve competitive hydrogen production costs while reducing dependence on critical raw materials.

In parallel, the action analysed how these techno-economic results shape viable business-model configurations for the hydrogen value chain. By linking catalyst performance and manufacturing scalability to system integration requirements, MarketHy identified realistic pathways for the deployment of low-PGM and PGM-free catalysts by stack manufacturers, catalyst suppliers, and system integrators. The outcome is a technically grounded framework that connects laboratory-scale catalyst innovation with economic feasibility at system level, providing clear guidance on how further scientific advances in catalyst durability, interface stability, and scale-up can directly improve commercial viability.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The main objective of MarketHy was the development of a suitable techno-economic assessment methodology that included cost of production, potential lifetime of the materials, environmental impact, etc. and use the methodology to compare between different powder electrocatalysts already developed as part of ANEMEL and ENABLER (low-PGM and PGM-free).
This initial work has allowed the two partners to get a closer collaboration and work towards further research opportunities, such as EU funding programmes.
No action related to commercialisation, new IP, regulatory framework, etc. was envisaged as part of MarketHy.