Next generation PEM electrolyser for sustainable hydrogen production

Seven European partners are now joining forces to further develop and demonstrate next generation proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser technology suitable for highly efficient hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. The three year, EUR 3 .4 million NEXPEL project is supported by The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) through a EUR 1.3 million grant. The NEXPEL consortium, coordinated by SINTEF, consists of leading R&D organizations and major industrial actors from 4 membe r states: CEA LITEN (FR), Fraunhofer ISE (DE), FuMA-Tech GmbH (DE), Helion Hydrogen Power (FR), SINTEF (NO), Statoil ASA (NO) and University of Reading (UK). During the NEXPEL project an efficient PEM electrolyser integrated with Renewable Energy Sour ces (RES) will be constructed and demonstrated. The NEXPEL electrolyser will incorporate several technological innovations, such as more active catalysts, new membrane materials, highly stable porous current collectors and bipolar plates. To further reduc e cost and improve stability, an advanced stack design using components suitable for mass production and highly efficient advanced power electronics will be developed. The outcomes from the NEXPEL project will support the overall vision to establish hyd rogen as an energy carrier for a wide range of applications, and contribute to meet the substantial need for increased energy storage capacity when the share of RES in energy production increases.