ImplementatioN in real SOFC Systems of monItoring and diaGnostic tools using signal analysis to increase tHeir lifeTime

Objective

The INSIGHT project aims at developing a Monitoring, Diagnostic and Lifetime Tool (MDLT) for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) stacks and the hardware necessary for its implementation into a real SOFC system. The effectiveness of the MDLT will be demonstrated through on-field tests on a real micro-Combined Heat and Power system (2.5 kW), thus moving these tools from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to beyond 5.

INSIGHT leverages the experience of previous projects and consolidates their outcomes both at methodological and application levels. The consortium will specifically exploit monitoring approaches based on two advanced complementary techniques: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in addition to conventional dynamic stack signals. Durability tests with faults added on purpose and accelerated tests will generate the data required to develop and validate the MDL algorithms. Based on the outcome of experimental analysis and mathematical approaches, fault mitigation logics will be developed to avoid stack failures and slow down their degradation.

A specific low-cost hardware, consisting in a single board able to embed the MDLT will be developed and integrated into a commercial SOFC system, the EnGenTM 2500, which will be tested on-field.

INSIGHT will then open the perspective to decrease the costs of service and SOFC stack replacement by 50%, which would correspond to a reduction of the Total Cost of Ownership by 10% / kWh.

To reach these objectives, INSIGHT is a cross multidisciplinary consortium gathering 11 organisations from 6 member states (France, Italy, Denmark, Slovenia, Austria, Finland) and one associated country (Switzerland). The partnership covers all competences necessary: experimental testing (CEA, DTU, EPFL), algorithms developments (UNISA, IJS, AVL), hardware development (BIT), system integration and validation (VTT, SP, HTC), supported by AK for the project management and dissemination.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › chemical sciences › analytical chemistry › spectroscopy
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › energy and fuels › fuel cell
• natural sciences › computer and information sciences › data science › data exchange

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.3.3.8.1. - Increase the electrical efficiency and the durability of the different fuel cells used for power production to levels which can compete with conventional technologies, while reducing costs

Topic(s)

• FCH-02-5-2016 - Advanced monitoring, diagnostics and lifetime estimation for stationary SOFC stacks and modules

Call for proposal

H2020-JTI-FCH-2016-1
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

FCH2-RIA - Research and Innovation action

Coordinator

COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

Address

Rue Leblanc 25
75015 Paris 15
France

Activity type

Research Organisations

EU contribution

€ 368 833,75

Participants (10)

DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET

Denmark

EU contribution

€ 313 625

Address

Anker Engelundsvej 1 Bygning 101 A
2800 Kgs Lyngby

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI SALERNO

Italy

EU contribution

€ 361 562,50

Address

Via Giovanni Paolo Ii 132
84084 Fisciano Sa

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE

Switzerland

EU contribution

€ 0

Address

Batiment Ce 3316 Station 1
1015 Lausanne

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

INSTITUT JOZEF STEFAN

Slovenia

EU contribution

€ 190 500

Address

Jamova 39
1000 Ljubljana

Activity type

Research Organisations

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY

Finland

EU contribution

€ 191 331,25

Address

Tekniikantie 21
02150 Espoo

Activity type

Research Organisations

AVL LIST GMBH

Austria

EU contribution

€ 250 687,50

Address

Hans-list-platz 1
8020 Graz

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

SOLIDPOWER SPA

Italy

EU contribution

€ 423 000

Address

Viale Trento 115/117
38017 Mezzolombardo Tn

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

SOLIDPOWER SA

Switzerland

EU contribution

€ 0

Address

Avenue Des Sports 26
1400 Yverdon-les-bains

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

BITRON SPA

Italy

EU contribution

€ 281 408,75

Address

Corso Principe Oddone 18
10122 Torino

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

AK GROUP

France

EU contribution

€ 118 000

Address

41B Rue Dupetit Thouars
49000 Angers

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)