Hydrogen technology and applications
Hydrogen has a key role to play in the energy and raw materials transition. Together with our partners, we model, validate and develop new sustainable hydrogen solutions, in particular for decentralised industrial applications. We work with students, knowledge institutions and the business community in learning communities, and together with SPRONG partner HAN, we are a driving force in the hydrogen community in the Eastern Netherlands.
A key focus of our research is on decentralised, industrial applications of hydrogen. This concerns both hydrogen as a raw material and hydrogen as an energy carrier. The conversion of electrical energy or biogas to hydrogen or vice versa is also an important research theme.
Key themes
In the energy transition the need to convert sustainable electrons into hydrogen molecules is increasing, especially due to grid congestion problems. Small-scale decentralised initiatives are key in making the energy chain manageable and feasible. However, decentralised electrolysis systems for local/regional hydrogen production require more research before they will be ready for the market. New techniques are also being looked at, for example to generate hydrogen from biogas.
Hydrogen is being seen as a suitable application in a variety of areas. Its use in industry is regarded as highly promising. On the one hand, to achieve high temperatures without CO2 emissions through incineration, but also as a green raw material for chemical processes. However, we are still investigating many questions concerning the technical and economic aspects.
Hydrogen is just one puzzle piece in the future energy system. How this piece can be used sensibly and what the best dimensions are for such a hydrogen system is the subject of study. In collaboration with the System Integration research line, we are developing models and tools that provide insight and context for these studies.
HYGENESYS
A design for a 70 kW electrolyser system has been developed over a 2 year period through a Challenged Based Learning Community with business specialists, researchers and students from different courses.