Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-04-30

Energy storage by reversible electrolyser/fuel cell system

Objective



Objectives of the project:
The main goal of the proposed project is to prove the feasibility of a reversible electrolyser/fuel cell stack, including a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit. In this system the operation mode of a water electrolyser for hydrogen production and the operation mode of a fuel cell for regeneration of electricity are combined in one electrochemical cell. A metal hydride system stores the electrolytically produced hydrogen until the gas in consumed during the fuel cell mode. Additionally an experimental study on materials for oxygen storage will be performed.
Technical approach:
The reversible system includes two main devices, the fuel cell stack and the purification/storage unit. They will be developed separately and finally combined to a system, which will undergo the tests.
The stack will consist of several polymer electrolyte cells connected in series. The number of cells and the active area of the electrodes are determined by the power required. Before the stack can be designed, a reversible single cell will be developed, including development and testing of the necessary cell materials and membrane/electrode-units.
For low power reversible systems, a hydride storage unit is the best choice. But hydrides are damaged by humid gases. Therefore, a compact and high efficient gas drying concept has to be designed and tested. A suitable hydride will be selected and a storage unit will be adapted to the requirements of the reversible system.
As an option, the storage of oxygen will be considered within an experimental study. Information on various materials will be collected and evaluated with respect to capacity, dynamic charge/discharge behaviour and cost. The oxygen storage unit must withstand the comparison with a fan for air supply of the oxygen electrode in the fuel cell mode. The improvement in performance of the fuel cell must cover the additional losses (auxiliaries, heat demand for oxygen release) for the oxygen storage system.
Expected achievements:
The most important technical achievements which will be realised in the course of the project are:
- selection of catalysts and materials being suitable for electrolysis and fuel cell operation mode;
- manufacturing and test of components and single cells;
- design, construction and test of an energy conversion device in the low power range;
- design, construction and test of a unit for hydrogen purification (drying); - construction and test of a hydride storage system in laboratory; - combination of the energy converter, the gas purification unit and the hydride tank to the complete, reversible system, realisation of a control system;
- test of the reversible system.

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

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.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

Data not available

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.

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.*
EU contribution
No data
Address
Heidenhofstrasse 2
79110 FREIBURG (IN BREISGAU)
Germany

See on map

Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Participants (5)

My booklet 0 0