Publications
14 July 2020
Novel fuel cell technology eases industry transition towards hydrogen-powered fleets
ABSTRACT. The CH2P (Cogeneration of Hydrogen and Power using solid oxide based system fed by methane rich gas) project was born out of the realisation that green hydrogen from renewables is variable by nature and will sometimes require a backup from other sources. The projec therefore aimed to come up with a transition technology: a system generating hydrogen from carbon-lean natural gas or biomethane.

ABSTRACT. The reliability of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems is closing the gap to meet the requirements for market implementation. However, with the recent advances of the technology, the lifetime of SOFC stacks is becoming increasingly limited by mechanical failures, which need to be overcome for lowering costs. Numerical thermo-mechanical investigations are relevant to understand and predict potential failure modes in SOFC stacks, because of the complexity induced by the variety in materials, local conditions and effect of history. Standard finite-element (FE) stack modelling approaches commonly consider idealised components, i.e. computational domains imported from computer-aided design.
3 July 2019
Characterization of the local morphology at triple-phase boundaries after SOFC/SOEC operation

ABSTRACT. The evolution of a Ni-YSZ microstructure under operation comprises the coarsening and the decrease of the contiguity of the Ni phase. The process occurs faster in the first thousand hours of operation and results in the progressive degradation of electrochemical performance because of the reduced density of connected triple-phase boundaries (TPB). A clear correlation between TPB density and performance of the solid oxide cell has been demonstrated over the past years. However, the effect of operation on the morphology of the Ni and YSZ surfaces near the TPBs is still unclear, despite the expected relevance for the electrode performance. Indeed, the gas species are first adsorbed on the surface of each solid phase and then diffuse to the TPBs before electrochemical reaction.
REPORT
20 September 2018
D1.9 – Usage scenario report
ABSTRACT. The CH2P project aims to develop a combined hydrogen and power production system, using gas from the natural gas grid, for use at hydrogen stations. This report defines the use cases for such a system by looking at the demand profiles for hydrogen and power. Demand profiles include hydrogen refuelling as well as power consumption of the system itself and surrounding power consumers, for power export and grid balancing and charging of battery electric vehicles. It also gives the implications of this demand in the form of a set of operating points, which can be used for modelling and design of the system. The work further showed that the power integration of the CH2P system needs to consider the significant power peaks that occur in hydrogen and conventional stations.
2 June 2017
Cogeneration of Hydrogen and Power using solid oxide based system fed by methane rich gas
OBJECTIVE. To achieve European ambitions to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases by 80% before 2050, emissions of the transport and the energy sectors will need to decrease drastically. The Hydrogen Economy offers ready solutions to decarbonize the transport sector. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) close to be deployed in the market in increasing numbers. For FCEVs to be introduced to the market in volumes, a network of hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) first has to exist. Green hydrogen is figured, in the medium – long term, as the target technology to decarbonize the transport sector. Indeed, this will not be commercially attractive in the first years. Similarly, new-built hydrogen supply capacity will not be viable in the first years with low demand.
30 April 2017
D7.1 – Website and communication material
INTRODUCTION. To achieve European ambitions to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases by 80% before 2050, emissions of the transport sector and of the energy sectors will need to decrease drastically. Today, the Hydrogen Economy offers ready solutions to decarbonize the transport sector. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) close to be deployed in the market in increasing numbers: because of this a network of hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) first has to exist. In the medium-long term, Green Hydrogen (production of hydrogen by renewable energy sources) is figured as the target technology to decarbonize the different energy sectors, but these technologies needs to become commercially attractive in order to foster the development of clean transport sector.
BROCHURE
1 August 2019
1 July 2022
Download the CH2P Final Brochure
postcard
1 August 2017