Set 6 Del-programleder i EERA Joint Program for Fuel Cells & HydrogenENG: Sub-Program-leader in EERA Joint Program for Fuel Cells & Hydrogen

Fuel cells (FCs) and electrolysers (ECs) are electrochemical devices in which performance is much related to the electrodes (as materials, microstructure and compatibility with special emphasis on the catalysts), which determine the efficiency for energy and hydrogen production, respectively. In frame of the EERA Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies Joint Programme (EERA FC&H2 JP), the Sub-Programme 2 (SP2) Catalyst and Electrode is targeted on developing a new generation of highly active, low cost and durable catalysts and electrodes. This is addressed by identifying the requirements of each electrochemical process which defines the type of electrode to be used. By harmonizing activities with other SPs, especially with SP5 Modeling, validation and diagnostics, a rational catalyst and electrode design would be achieved by the joint development and optimization of advanced characterization tools combining numerical and experimental research. The materials research devoted to the catalyst and electrodes should span from optimization of single materials properties or specific fabrication processes to the development of new types of materials to allow for new type of cells. In order to achieve this challenge it is necessary to establish a concomitant work that links the expertise of each SP2 member for achieving improved catalysts and electrodes. Progress in the area of catalysts and electrodes can be made by addressing key topics such as (i) Fundamental understanding of FC&EC electrochemical processes and degradation mechanisms; (ii) Determination of material properties and their inter-relationship for fuel cell and electrolysis operation, like the active surface area; (iii) Computational assisted design of tailor-made electrodes, catalyst and supports. Modeling of electrode reactions and material transport; (iv) Development, adaptation and optimization of material synthesis processes to achieve tailor-made catalyst (electrodes, catalysts and supports) properties; and (v) Electrode engineering to integrate and optimize electrodes (catalysts and supports) into cell architectures. These topics form an integrated development loop of course considering particular operation modes (fuel cells/electrolysis) and conditions (temperature) and can be considered an iterative process. Based on already identified problems or gaps, new materials will be suggested and promising candidates synthesized. At the end a working electrode for either fuel cell or electrolysis cell has to pass a proof of concept including the demonstration of its manufacturability. Aligned to the development of novel materials reliable characterization tools are mandatory. In particular, new characterization techniques allowing ex-situ, in-situ or in-operando investigation of catalyst surfaces and interfaces to follow chemical, electronic and structural properties during operation. Characterization of individual phenomena, accelerated aging experiments, post-mortem analysis, and dedicated advanced optical and spectroscopic techniques to analyze the relation between material structure and operating and degradation conditions and essential to achieve the next generation catalysts and electrodes. By combining competences from various fields, including electrochemistry, materials technology, chemical synthesis and spectroscopy across Europe, the SP2 Catalyst and Electrode will contribute to maturing hydrogen technologies and support their eventual commercialization towards 2020. This project, which is supported by the Research Council of Norway, is gathering highly skilled European scientists aiming at defining the future needs and securing progress required to solve the challenges towards efficient and affordable hydrogen technologies and their deployment.

The aim of this project is to contribute to the management of the Joint Program for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCs&H2) as an integral part of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA). Initially, SINTEF will follow up on the work as leader for the Sub-Pr ogram (SP) on Catalysis, in which a series of European key actors take part, e.g., CEA (FR), DLR (D), ENEA (It), FZJ (D), JRC IE (B), DTU (DK), TECNALIA (ES) and VTT (Fi). Frequent meetings for this JP will be arranged, the first already during the Annual Congress in Brussels 18.-19.April 2013. Researcher Dr. Luis Colmenares, SINTEF, has taken on the responsibility of leading the SP on Catalysis and has already contributed to the development of a detailed work plan (Implementation Plan) for the years towa rds 2020 in alignment with the priorities of the European Commission's Strategic Energy Technology (SET)-plan. In conjunction with the work towards European partners, encompassing the establishment of the scientific scope for the activity, Luis Colmenares and SINTEF will link the EERA activities to the national Mirror Group within Hydrogen and Fuel Cells which is operated by SINTEF and IFE. Through this Mirror Group Norwegian stakeholders are being informed about relevant activities and are given the oppo rtunity to engage and interact, and give input to priorities to the EERA JP FCs&H2-activites. Relevant information shall also be disseminated through Norwegian Hydrogen Association (Hydrogenforum), the Norwegian Hydrogen Council (Hydrogenrådet) and the Re search Council of Norway (Forskningsrådet). Moreover, an annual European workshop on the subject of Catalysis for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell technologies with Pan-European participation will be organized as part of this EERA engagement.