(Invited) Stack Test Facility for PEM Water Electrolysis up to 400 Kilowatt and Lessons Learned at Stack Scale-up

• DOI: 10.1149/ma2024-01341868mtgabs
• Publication Date: 2024-08-19T15:36:14Z
• Authors: Holger Janssen; Michael Hehemann; Eugen Hoppe; Walter Zwaygardt; Martin Johannes M...

A new type of energy system based on renewable sources and hydrogen technologies is put into operation at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany. The aim the "Living Lab Energy Campus (LLEC)" project testing optimizing systems interactions. Central components are wind power PV systems, PEM electrolysis system, conditioning subsequent gas transport in H 2 O pipelines, storage LOHC reactors use combined heat plants. Fig. 1, left, an R&D test platform which was jointly configured by Jülich (IEK-14) Greenlight Innovation Corp. built Greenlight. It offers a range different operating modes configurations that will be studied embedded LLEC: Equal pressure or differential anode/cathode up to 50 bar(g). Water circulation anode and/or cathode side. Stack cabin with flexible connections for fluid inlets outlets as well electrical current. This makes it easy connect operate stacks (also from other manufacturers). Automated operation, simulation load profiles (e.g. wind/PV). CE-certified can run continuously under automatic control. Critical conditions, such exceeding concentration limit (currently set 30 % LEL) flow, immediately initiate emergency shutdown program. In program, supply unit first switched off side reduced ambient pressure. reason fault leading stored control called up. addition, all measured values states installed sensors actuators recorded adjustable time resolution. used monitor behavior detect problems early stage, but also characterize balance overall stack. For generating large amounts within LLEC project, IEK-14 initiated development electric design data taken performance laboratory cell (1.75 V 3 cm -2 , 20 cm² active area) scaled stack consists 60 cells area 1056 cm². bipolar plate completely redeveloped. main features are: Use porous layer structures degrees fineness flowfield structure. Welding form material-locking unit. Preliminary tests short plates smaller scale (100 showed promising results. manufacturing process have now been patented (EP4128399) published (Janßen et al., facile economical approach fabricate single-piece electrolyzers, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2023). An interesting aspect discussed further presentation scale-up both number cells. Ultimately, understand parameters (and their fluctuations) mainly influencing during scale-up. analysis component properties comparison should provide initial indications. right, shows 60-cell cm², 4 were constructed. Figure 1