Hydrogen production
The LLEC offers the possibility to analyze and elucidate the expected interactions in the energy system of the future (2050) already now. This means that customized solutions for the future can already be developed and tested at present.
The focus of the hydrogen production team's work is on the tasks that hydrogen can assume as an energy carrier and transport medium in our - future sector-coupled - energy system.
Hydrogen is produced from water using regenerative electrical energy. This is done in next-generation electrolysers that can be operated dynamically at high efficiency. This distinguishes the cell stacks (or stacks) developed and built at the research center from those that are currently commercially available.
Research is focused on increasing efficiency so that as much hydrogen as possible can be produced with comparatively little energy input. At the same time, the power density and durability of the cell stacks are to be increased, as this will reduce the costs of building and operating electrolysis systems. Embedding in the overall LLEC system takes on a central role, as this is the only way to understand the interactions between the different energy converters. For example, the interaction of the components places different demands on the required dynamics of power adjustment in the electrolyzer. In addition, the use of different storage technologies requires, for example, an adjustment of the operating pressure. In addition to these easily comprehensible interactions, however, numerous other interdependencies will arise in the analysis and further development of this complex energy system.
With the electrolysis test platform at the LLEC, the research center has a unique platform with which the conversion of electrical energy into a chemical energy carrier (sector coupling: electricity to hydrogen) can already be investigated on a technical scale independently of manufacturers. This provides the project network and society with an unrestricted and particularly valuable database for the further development of coupled complex systems.