No abstract available.

Within electrochemical cells, it is critical to achieve good contact between the catalyst (which produces the gas) and the membrane (which separates the anode and cathode within the cell). ITM Power has a patent covering a novel method of achieving this: catalyst is sprayed onto the walls of a mould, liquid monomers are poured into the mould, cured and the mould peeled away, transferring the catalyst to the membrane. The catalyst is then in intimate contact with the membrane resulting in excellent performance. The concept is simple, but achieving good bonding with the membrane without encapsulating the catalyst took years to develop. Recently, ITM has developed a new catalyst with improved performance and durability, which improves the electrolyser efficiency, however initial indications are that the ink transfer parameters established for the old catalyst do not work with the new catalyst. This project is to investigate the feasibility of utilising the new catalyst within ITMs commercial electrolysers.

ITM is a developer of electrolyser and fuel cell technologies for the generation and consumption of hydrogen, and is interested in developing a home refueller for supplying hydrogen to road vehicles. Interest in hydrogen is growing as a clean fuel and energy storage medium amid concerns over growing global demand, dwindling fossil fuel resources, political instability and the environment, and a home refueller could play an important role in the effort to decarbonise road transport. Hydrogen technology is currently hampered by high system costs, but ITM has developed a patented suite of low-cost hydrocarbon membranes that could make home electrolysis a reality. ITM will use the funds to conduct a proof of market study to identify the refueller design and application with the most economic potential, to quantify the expected costs and benefits, and to propose potential sale volumes and timelines for commercialisation. Potential applications to be investigated include the ability for overnight electrolysis to benefit from cheap off-peak electricity, the ability to mop up excess renewable energy from the grid, off-grid operation, modular design to enable scale-up to cater for multiple car owners, small fleet owners (for example taxi’s) longer-range driving etc.

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Every electrolyser system contains at least one power supply unit (PSU). ITMs products are no exception. The PSUs can be a high cost component of the system (up to 16% of the capital cost), and when not optimised can introduce inefficiencies in the overall system. This project will develop the concepts for and test a basic prototype for a modular power supply unit to provide power to PEM electrolysers for the generation of hydrogen in off-grid, weak grid and grid connected applications allowing DC-DC and AC-DC power conditioning. It will be optimised for electrolyser power ranges, and able to accept grid and/or renewable inputs.