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IEA AFC Task 30: Electrolysis (Working period 2024 - 2027)

IEA AFC Task 30 deals with the production of hydrogen through electrolysis. Questions regarding material costs and durability, efficiency and reliability are at the core of research efforts. This is addressed through the development of new materials and advanced monitoring strategies to detect aging phenomena, as well as the optimisation of operating strategies. Within Task 30, developments shared among the world's leading research institutions and companies.

Short Description

Objectives

The IEA AFC Task 30 on electrolysis deals with a broad portfolio of relevant topics. The focus within the task is particularly on the exchange of knowledge and information between the task members in order to advance research and development in the fields of polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis, alkaline (membrane) electrolysis and solid oxide electrolysis.

Through the participation of Austria, represented by the team of the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology at Graz University of Technology, this exchange is made accessible to national stakeholders on the one hand, and on the other hand, domestic research and development is made visible worldwide.

Content

The Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology is working on optimizing and durability enhancement of electrolysers. This includes an improved understanding of the operational requirements and ageing mechanisms of the technology (Figure 1), as well as the development of accelerated stress tests (Figure 2) in order to test these properties in a targeted and reproducible manner.

Image from the project
Figure 1: Ageing phenomena in PEMWEs. Source: Kuhnert E, Hacker V, Bodner M. A review of accelerated stress tests for enhancing MEA durability in PEM water electrolysis cells. International Journal of Energy Research 2023;2023:1-23. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3183108 (CC-BY 4.0).

Work is also aimed at developing methods for monitoring cell ageing. This includes, for example, the analysis of degradation products of the ionomer by determining fluoride emissions.

Image from the project
Figure 2: Development of an accelerated stress test based on the profile of a photovoltaic system. Source: Kuhnert E, Mayer K, Heidinger M, Rienessel C, Hacker V, Bodner M. Impact of intermittent operation on photovoltaic-PEM electrolyzer systems: A degradation study based on accelerated stress testing. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2024;55:683-95 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.11.249 (CC-BY 4.0).

In all these aspects, international networking is essential for national research efforts.

Expected results

The task participation includes regular newsletters, participation in and organization of workshops aimed at the following interest groups (national and international): Research, industry and politics.

Project Partners

Project lead

Ass.Prof. Dr.techn. Merit Bodner
Graz University of Technology
Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology
Inffeldgasse 25 C, 8010 Graz
E-Mail: merit.bodner@tugraz.at

Participants

Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, USA (Operating Agent)