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Advanced Manufacturing of Flow Field Components for Cost-Effective Green Hydrogen Production

Project description

Cutting costs in renewable hydrogen production

Producing renewable hydrogen at the scale needed for climate neutrality remains limited by the high cost and complex manufacturing of key electrolyser components, which slows down its widespread adoption. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the STREAM project aims to reduce the cost and improve the performance by redesigning and manufacturing key components such as flow field parts and using advanced 3D printing (laser powder bed fusion) to optimise material use, improve mass transport and enhance efficiency. Through computational modelling, experimental manufacturing and rigorous testing, the project develops better-performing titanium components and reliable testing methods to predict long-term durability. Ultimately, STREAM supports cheaper hydrogen production and helps accelerate Europe’s transition to a climate-neutral energy system.

Objective

The European Union aims to produce 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030 to achieve climate neutrality. However, water electrolysis faces significant cost barriers, with electrolyser manufacturing representing a major deployment obstacle. Flow field components account for half of total system costs due to conventional production methods that limit design optimization. Smart Transport layer Engineering through Additive Manufacturing (STREAM) addresses this challenge by developing advanced manufacturing for electrolyser components using laser powder bed fusion. The research pursues three objectives. First, create computational models optimizing porous transport layers and bipolar plates to enhance mass transport. Second, establish process parameters for additive manufacturing of titanium components with precise control over porosity and conductivity. Third, develop testing methodologies validating component performance and predicting operational lifetime. The project employs systematic approaches combining computational design, experimental manufacturing, and performance validation. Advanced modeling guides component optimization while parameter studies establish manufacturing protocols. Electrochemical testing demonstrates reliability and establishes accelerated testing standards. The fellowship at University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien offers access to computational software, materials characterization equipment, and electrochemical testing systems. This provides essential training in advanced manufacturing techniques, computational modeling, and project leadership skills for research careers. STREAM contributes to European Green Deal implementation and REPowerEU objectives by reducing electrolyser costs and accelerating market deployment. The research supports EU industrial competitiveness in clean energy while addressing cost barriers preventing hydrogen economy development.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

FACHHOCHSCHULE TECHNIKUM WIEN
Net EU contribution
€ 230 184,72
Address
HOCHSTADTPLATZ 6
1200 Wien
Austria
Region
Ostösterreich Wien Wien
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data