Project description DEENESFRITPL Making PEMWEs the top choice for hydrogen production Water electrolysis is one of the greenest technologies for producing hydrogen. Based on proton conduction of polymeric electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology, the PEM water electrolyser (PEMWE) offers an interesting solution for renewable energy storage. For instance, hydrogen produced offers large storage and can be efficiently reconverted to electricity via fuel cells. The two major drawbacks are high costs and low long-term durability of cell components. To solve this, the EU-funded HYDROGEN project will develop membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) where membranes are reinforced with extensive networks of active polymer fibres prepared by electrospinning. The project’s aim is for PEMWE to become a competitive solution for hydrogen production. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The project SPINAM (ERC Starting Grant 2012 - FP7 Ideas Programme) introduced a new method of elaboration and assembly based on electrospinning to produce novel energy materials with improved properties. The project focused on the development of core materials (membrane-electrode assemblies, MEAs) of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and water electrolysers (PEMWEs). Water electrolysis is one promising opportunity to address the challenge of renewable energy storage, since the hydrogen produced offers large storage capacities and can be efficiently reconverted to electricity via fuel cells. Despite its advantages, PEMWE is currently not yet widespread because of the high cost and the low durability of the cell components over time. The membrane is known to be the weakest component for long term performance, with low mechanical strength, high permeation and high creep. Reduction in the thickness of the membrane, while keeping low gas permeability and high mechanical resistance, would represent a real breakthrough, allowing for lower operating cell voltage. The HYDROGEN project (HighlY performing proton exchange membrane water electrolysers with reinforceD membRanes fOr efficient hydrogen GENeration) will tackle these issues with the preparation of novel MEAs based on membranes reinforced with extensive networks of active polymer fibres prepared by electrospinning. This concept was developed under SPINAM, where the results of the work were brought to TRL 3/4, with four-fold improvement in chemical and mechanical stability during electrochemical accelerated aging tests over state-of-the art reinforced membranes. HYDROGEN project technology provides the required disruptive solution for PEMWE to become a competitive option for H2 production up to its extensive adoption and commercialisation. Fields of science natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectrolysisnatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cellsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhydrogen energy Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2019-POC - ERC Proof of Concept Grant Call for proposal ERC-2019-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant Host institution UNIVERSITE DE MONTPELLIER Net EU contribution € 142 253,00 Address 163 RUE AUGUSTE BROUSSONNET 34090 Montpellier France See on map Region Occitanie Languedoc-Roussillon Hérault Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITE DE MONTPELLIER France Net EU contribution € 142 253,00 Address 163 RUE AUGUSTE BROUSSONNET 34090 Montpellier See on map Region Occitanie Languedoc-Roussillon Hérault Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data Third-party Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure. CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS France Net EU contribution € 7 747,00 Address RUE MICHEL ANGE 3 75794 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data
