The Fraunhofer-National Gesellschaft’s Action Plan for Fuel Cell Production has been awarded €80 million by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI).
The funding comes from the “Concerted Action Mobility” future fund and is aimed at promoting the transformation of the automotive sector, particularly the supplier industry.
The National Action Plan for Fuel Cell Production is working on technology solutions that will allow for significant cost reductions and fuel cell upscaling. The foundation is made up of 20 Fraunhofer Institutes, which will use their research expertise, infrastructure, and local networks to create regional technology centres in 25 sites. These are grouped into the five categories below:
NORTH LOWER SLAUGHTER & BREMEN: Circular manufacturing methods; function-integrated components with thin-film sensors
WEST North Rhine-Westphalia: Membrane unit (MEA): roll-to-roll system technology, bipolar plates (BPP): metals and composites manufacturing methods
BPP integration system with high rates, scalable technological modules, and quality monitoring in EAST Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Electrical integration, cognitive sensor systems, and technical purity are all priorities in South Bavaria.
MEA Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing Methodology in South Baden-Württemberg.
Each cluster is given extra support in pursuing its own research subjects. The whole network has access to the findings of the study on the various production steps.
The alliance with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is a new dimension for advancing fuel cell production. With the nationwide establishment of a research network specifically for fuel cells, we want to reduce significantly the costs of hydrogen vehicles on the one hand and to position the German supplier industry well for the future with a fuel cell made in Germany on the other. I am firmly convinced that we will make Germany a hydrogen country.—Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Infrastructure
Hydrogen is a decisive factor for the energy turnaround aimed at by society as a whole. Hydrogen technologies play a key role in transforming industry towards sustainable value creation. For a targeted technological and economic implementation, however, the development of new production technologies for high market volumes is necessary—especially with a view to fuel cells as one of the essential core elements of a hydrogen economy.—Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer Society
