Objective
Water electrolysis supplied by renewable energy is the foremost technology for producing “green” hydrogen for
fuel cell vehicles. The ability to follow rapidly an intermittent load makes this an ideal solution for grid balancing.
To achieve large-scale application of PEM electrolysers, a significant reduction of capital costs is required together
with a large increase of production rate and output pressure of hydrogen, while assuring high efficiency and safe
operation. To address these challenges, a step-change in PEM electrolysis technology is necessary. The NEPTUNE
project develops a set of breakthrough solutions at materials, stack and system levels to increase hydrogen pressure
to 100 bar and current density to 4 A cm-2 for the base load, while keeping the nominal energy consumption <50
kWh/kg H2. The rise in stack temperature at high current density will be managed by using Aquivion® polymers for
both membrane and ion exchange resin. Aquivion® is characterised by enhanced conductivity, high glass transition
temperature and increased crystallinity. Dramatic improvements in the stack efficiency will be realised using novel
thin reinforced membranes, able to withstand high differential pressures. An efficient recombination catalyst will
solve any gas crossover safety issues. Newly developed electro-catalysts with increased surface area will promote
high reaction rates. The novel solutions will be validated by demonstrating a robust and rapid-response electrolyser
of 48 kW nominal capacity with a production rate of 23 kg H2/day. The aim is to bring the new technology to
TRL5 and prove the potential to surpass the 2023 KPIs of the MAWP 2017. The proposed solutions contribute
significantly to reducing the electrolyser CAPEX and OPEX costs. The project will deliver a techno-economic
analysis and an exploitation plan to bring the innovations to market. The consortium comprises an electrolyser
manufacturer, suppliers of membranes, catalysts and MEAs and an end-user.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.3. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.3.8.2. - Increase the energy efficiency of production of hydrogen mainly from water electrolysis and renewable sources while reducing operating and capital costs, so that the combined system of the hydrogen production and the conversion using the fuel cell system can compete with the alternatives for electricity production available on the market
- 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
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
S4 7QQ Sheffield
United Kingdom
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.