Schaeffler, Johnson Matthey, Bekaert, and TNO, a leading independent research institute in the field of hydrogen, have teamed up to develop electrolysis cells with components that are optimized to work together for a step-change in efficiency.
The consortium brings together each company’s top individual capabilities to advance next-generation technologies that will lower hydrogen’s levelized cost and increase component efficiency. Over the next three years, the shared research program will be implemented.
Renewable hydrogen will be important in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors in all net zero scenarios. Electrolysis is a key enabling technology for zero-emission energy because it allows renewable hydrogen to be produced using water and renewable energy. In 2050, according to the IRENA 1.5°C scenario, approximately 5,000 GW of electrolyser capacity will be available, allowing enough hydrogen to meet 12% of global energy demand. But, in order for this to happen, technological innovation and rapid adoption are required.
The consortium’s goal is to speed proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology development by optimizing the electrolyser stack’s most critical components. This will eventually aid the development of the next generation of PEM electrolysers, allowing for lower electricity consumption, lower hydrogen production costs, and a smaller environmental footprint. The team will also look into making better use of scarce critical elements and components, which will result in higher efficiency than current electrolysers.
To accomplish this, the partners will collaborate on a three-year shared research program that will lay the groundwork for a new generation of electrolysers that are highly efficient, long-lasting, and low-cost. This is part of the VoltaChem program, a business-driven Shared Innovation program that aids the chemical industry, the energy sector, and equipment suppliers and licensors in their efforts to achieve a climate-neutral future.
Schaeffler, Bekaert, Johnson Matthey, and TNO, a leading international consortium, will collaborate on the shared research. The research program is now accepting new participants in order to speed things up even more.
