ERAfrica: ADVANCED HYDROGEN ENERGY SYSTEMS

The project ADVANCED HYDROGEN ENERGY SYSTEMS (2014-2018) contributes to the thematic area "Renewable Energies" and targets development of the advanced, integrated with solar energy highly efficient hydrogen energy systems. A conversion of renewables into two complementary energy carriers, first into electricity and then into hydrogen, results in a zero emission operation. The project was a close collaboration between Institute for Energy Technology, Norway (IFE); HYSTORSYS AS, Norway (HSS); Prototech AS, Norway (PRO); University of the Western Cape, South Africa (UWC), Middle East Technical University, Turkey (METU), and Cairo University, Egypt(CU). The partners met at three workshops organized in Norway (one) and in South Africa (two). The work developed innovative approaches to improve the efficiency of energy storage and supply. The advanced system performance has been achieved in the project and is based on: -A concept of combined cooling, heating and power system utilising solar power and based on reversible solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and metal hydrides has been developed. The system uses ?high temperature? metal hydride (MH) for storage of both hydrogen and heat, as well as efficient heat management allowing supply of hot water, residential heating during winter time, and air conditioning and cooling during summer time. The concept was validated by computer modelling and by optimisation of the system performance. - Advanced solid state hydrogen storage systems with high efficiency of hydrogen storage (both gravimetric and volumetric) were developed. The systems are composites prepared by reactive ball milling and containing optimized amounts of cost efficient components, magnesium hydride, titanium hydride and graphite. Material has a long cycle life and can be used for the prolonged high temperature operation. - On the SOFC part the work resulted in the development of robust electrodes and stack design. - High operating temperatures (500-700 °C) required development of thermally integrated with hydrogen storage system Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with improved heat transfer efficiency which was achieved by using liquid sodium based heat exchange. The work allowed to meet an objective of the project of building hydrogen stores with reversible H storage capacity of 100-150 gH/L which were integrated with SOFC. The system has been manufactured and successfully tested at a partner of the project ? University of the Western Cape, South Africa. The work resulted in publication of 9 papers published in high impact scientific journals and a high number of presentations at international conferences. International collaboration allowed reaching a critical mass of research through joint efforts of complementary scientific expertise. The work reinforced competences in the field by educating young researchers via collaboration. One researcher / PhD student, Jonathan Teik Ean GOH has been jointly supervised by Dr. M.V. Lototskyy and Prof. V.A. Yartys and presented his thesis for the defense at the UWC which will take place on 2018.

The HENERGY proposal contributes to the thematic field "Renewable Energies" and targets development of the advanced, integrated with renewables, high efficiency hydrogen energy systems. Their advanced performance will be achieved by: -development of uniti sed reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) / Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cells (SOEC); -high reversible gravimetric and volumetric efficiency of the H storage systems; -thermal integration of hydrogen store and SOFC, SOEC and evaporator for the SOEC steam electrolyser; -modelling and optimisation of the system performance. Hydrogen stores will accommodate nanocomposites of the hydrides having large reversible H storage capacities of 4-7 wt. % H / 100-150 gH/L. Advanced performance of the H storage and supp ly system will be achieved by utilising composites of (Ti,V)H2 and catalysed MgH2 with nanocarbon decomposing from 300 to 550 °C. SOFC development will focus on the development of robust electrodes and stack design, as well as thermal integration. Mo delling efforts will focus on prediction of transient heat and mass transfer and the dynamic response of the hydride bed. Anticipated advantages include: -High energy density / high power energy systems utilising low cost hydrogen gas; -Significantly im proved energy efficiency; -Ability to finely tune the operating temperatures; -Easy start-up of the SOFC, when initial heating is provided by highly-exothermic H2 absorption in the titanium/magnesium nanocomposite. The work is collaboration between Inst itute for Energy Technology, Norway (IFE); HYSTORSYS AS, Norway (HSS); Prototech AS, Norway (PRO); University of the Western Cape, South Africa (UWC), Middle East Technical University, Turkey (METU), and Cairo University, Egypt(CU). The work will reinfor ce competences in the field by educating young researchers via collaboration. International collaboration will allow reaching a critical mass of research through joint efforts of complementary scientific expertise.