The Green HY CELL project for new prototypes of green hydrogen generation systems to boost the competitiveness of Spanish industry is one of the two projects awarded to REGENERA under the CDTI Misiones Ciencia en Innovación 2022 call for proposals.
What is green hydrogen generation?
This project relates to the generation of green hydrogen, which refers to the production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power. The production of green hydrogen is considered a more sustainable alternative to hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, as it does not generate greenhouse gas emissions. In the context of the Green HY CELL project, prototypes of green hydrogen generation systems are being developed. The aim is to improve the efficiency and technical and economic viability of these systems for their application on a commercial scale. It is important to mention that the technology for the production of green hydrogen is still in a development phase. But it has the potential to play an important role in the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon economy.
Project Green HY CELL Details
Green Hy Cell is a Development Project for new prototypes of green hydrogen generation systems, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Spanish industry. Its objective is to research a new conceptual design for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWEs), utilising alternative materials to those currently used in PEM electrolysers. To achieve this, electrodes (anode and cathode) with a low content of noble metals (Ir and Pt, respectively) will be designed. Additionally, porous transport layers (PTLs) made of titanium fibre felt will be used for the anode, and carbonaceous gas diffusion layers (GDLs) for the cathode, along with bipolar plates (BPs) made of stainless steels with coatings based on non-noble (or critical) metals. A PEM electrolyser (0.5-1 kW) will be assembled using the optimised materials, with the aim of optimising the efficiency and sustainability of this type of hydrogen generation system. A thorough study will be carried out on their validation and scalability in a real-world environment, in order to obtain sustainable fuel from renewable sources. This will result not only in an increase in efficiency but also in a reduction of costs, emissions, and dependence on strategic materials, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the consortium's constituent companies. To complete the cycle, an industrial research study will be conducted. The objective is to establish strategies for the recovery of strategic materials (primarily Ir and Pt), with the aim of their potential “second life” use in electrolysis systems. All this is intended to reduce dependence on these types of materials in hydrogen generation systems to “0”.
Objectives of the Green HY CELL Development Project
The development of the proposed objectives will be carried out through six distinct technical activities. The start date is scheduled for 01 October 2022, with an estimated duration of 27 months, until 31 December 2024. The budget for the Green Hy Cell project amounts to a total of €2,539,143 over the three years of the project. The multidisciplinary consortium forming the Green Hy Cell project is made up of the direct collaboration of five companies and four research groups from three different HEIs. Fostering collaboration between them at a national level. Generating innovation and production of new products and services of great interest in the sector, laying the groundwork for new and effective collaborations between them in the future. At REGENERA, we continue to embrace the energies of the future, which are not only revolutionising industry but are also committed to the environment.
Subsidised by the CDTI. Financed by the European Union with Next Generation EU funds.
