The keys to a more sustainable energy system

Today, the world is immersed in an unprecedented global energy crisis, which has as its only precedent the oil crisis of the 1970s, when excessive government intervention caused a serious disruption in the energy market. If climate change had already been shown as a reality on which to act, the pandemic caused by Covid-19, and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia at the beginning of 2022, are being the culmination of a scenario in which the need for real and effective alternatives to fossil fuels had already been predicted.

There is a broad consensus on the need to achieve a more sustainable energy system, which allows reducing both polluting and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as external energy dependence. And there are many who have set their eyes on hydrogen as a fuel that can help achieve the above premises.

And it is that hydrogen can be obtained from water, through electrolyzers, using renewable energies such as solar energy and thus giving rise to the so-called green hydrogen. On the other hand, hydrogen can be stored until its use and through its combustion it can be transformed into electrical energy in fuel cells. In addition, the product of hydrogen combustion is water, so no polluting substances such as CO2 or volatile organic compounds are emitted.

However, there are several limitations to the general use of hydrogen as a fuel. One of them is related to its storage, which requires special conditions of pressure and temperature. Another limitation is the price of the materials that make up the devices where hydrogen is produced (electrolyzers) and where green hydrogen is transformed into electrical energy (fuel cells). These devices contain components called proton exchange membranes (PEM) and catalysts (whose price is not exactly affordable) and limits the widespread use of this technology.

At the University of Murcia, the group ‘Green Chemical Process Engineering’ led by Francisco José Hernández, has proposed to develop new low-cost PEM membranes with ionic liquids and metal oxides for application in microbial fuel cells and hydrogen electrolyzers and for this it has the funding of the Seneca Foundation-Regional Agency of Science and Technology-within the framework of its ‘Proof of concept’ program.

“The aim of this project is to develop new membranes and catalysts that fulfil the necessary function in the electrolyser device and fuel cell and that are more economical,” he says. There is no doubt that the main interest in developing these new materials lies in lowering the costs and even the efficiency of devices for the production of green hydrogen (electrolyzers) and for the transformation of hydrogen into electrical energy (fuel cells). Although, according to Fernández, “also in bringing green hydrogen technology to other fields that until now would be unthinkable due to the costs associated with it. Among the uses of green hydrogen we could find the electrification of remote homes to conventional distribution networks, for example.”

To achieve their goal, UMU researchers have developed membranes and catalysts that use new molecules called ionic liquids and low-cost metals. Ionic liquids are salts that unlike conventional salts are liquids at room temperature and also unlike liquids do not evaporate.

In addition, explains the main researcher of the group that for the development of this work they have been based on results obtained in previous research projects, “in which we have collaborated with research groups from English and Dutch Universities. Recently the University of Murcia has joined AHMUR (Green Hydrogen Sector Association in the Region of Murcia) which is a newly created association in the Region of Murcia whose initiatives are very interesting, “he says.

It ensures that the results derived from it can open new paths of research and new sources of funding. At the moment, they have managed to demonstrate that the new prepared materials, membranes and catalysts are capable of performing their function for the production of hydrogen and its transformation into electrical energy with an efficiency similar to the conventional materials used so far, but with a cost up to 10 times lower.

Currently they have already filed the patent for the proposed solution. “We are working on a ‘proof of concept’ that tries to move from the laboratory scale to a scale as similar to the commercial. We hope to enhance the results of this research by creating a spin-off”, as Francisco José Hernández explains.

The researcher recalls that hydrogen technology is an energy solution that is expected to be a real and possible energy option for everyone in the near future, “but we must not forget that it is also a technology of the present”. He warns that there are already commercial models of cars that run on hydrogen such as the Toyota Mirai. These cars are more efficient and do not pollute since they do not emit CO2 or other polluting gases. “The goal now is for this technology to be within reach of all pockets and extended to other applications and this is what we are working on. The widespread use of this technology is what will really result in environmental and economic improvements.”

Currently, they have already filed the patent for the proposed solution. “We are working on a ‘proof of concept’ that tries to move from a laboratory scale to a commercial scale as close as possible. We hope to capitalize on the results of this research by creating a spin-off”, explains Francisco José Hernández.

The researcher recalls that hydrogen technology is an energy solution that should be a real and possible energy option for everyone in the near future, “but we must not forget that it is also a technology of the present”. He warns that there are already commercial models of hydrogen cars, such as the Toyota Mirai. These cars are more efficient and do not pollute because they do not emit CO2 or other polluting gases. “The goal now is to make this technology affordable for everyone and spread to other applications, and that’s what we’re working on. The widespread use of this technology is what will really result in environmental and economic improvements.

Europe recognizes Repsol’s commitment to green hydrogen in Escombreras

The European Commission has approved this week the mobilisation of €5.2 billion of public funding from thirteen Member States to promote research, large-scale industrial deployment and infrastructure construction for the entire renewable hydrogen value chain.

The funding will go through the recognition of IPCEI projects, i.e. strategic projects of common European interest (IPCEI). Of the 35 projects submitted to this program by 29 companies, two projects promoted by Repsol received this rating. These are two large electrolysers projected in the hydrogen valley of Escombreras and in the Basque hydrogen corridor, two areas of high industrial consumption.

Specifically, Repsol will promote the construction of a large electrolyzer in Cartagena, with a capacity of 100 MW in its first phase, with the aim of promoting the decarbonization of the industries located in the Escombreras Valley. According to the studies carried out to date, it is estimated that thanks to this electrolyzer the emission of more than 167,000 tons of_CO2 per year will be avoided and about 1,100 jobs could be generated.

The projects that have received the IPCEI rating form an important part of Repsol’s renewable hydrogen strategy and the recognition of the European Commission confirms the leading role of the multi-energy company in Spain, where it is currently the leading producer and consumer of hydrogen. Repsol plans to invest 2,549 million euros until 2030 with the aim of dominating the Iberian Peninsula market and being the third largest producer of renewable hydrogen in Europe.

Source: Cuba