Clean hydrogen is expected to play a critical role in Europe's decarbonisation objectives and electrolysers, which produce hydrogen from water and electricity, are a key enabler for Europe to meet its net-zero targets. Given this, it is vital to increase the amount of electrolysis capacity produced annually through scale-up of material, components, and stack manufacture.
Providing sufficient electrolyser capacity to meet the needs of the energy transition requires a rapid and efficient scale up of stacks (and component) production capacity. This will require electrolyser components and material manufacturers to transition to large-scale production featuring increased automation, or novel technologies. Optimisation and upscaling of manufacturing processes is required to increase production yields and improve cost-effectiveness. At the same time, new materials, components, and stack designs for improved efficiencies and reduced environmental impact must be produced in sufficient quantities to meet the growing needs of clean hydrogen production facilities.
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:
- Maintain European leadership in electrolyser production and strengthen the European value chain through the ability to deliver high-quality stacks;
- Employ sustainable-by-design and/or design for recycling methods to improve circularity;
- Minimise the life-cycle impact of materials, component, or electrolyser manufacture through waste (e.g scrap or consumables);
- Increase