- Email: [email protected]
AFC wraps Ammonia-to-Power fuel cell generator trials, plans commercial system
NEWS The research cavern at Bad Lauchstädt is part of the overall HYPOS concept to develop a model region for hydrogen in the eastern federal states. The core of the concept is to supply the model region with green hydrogen, produced with the aid of Power-to-Gas (P2G) technologies – such as large-scale electrolysers – from renewable electrical energy. The use of the existing gas infrastructure will allow green hydrogen to reach customers in the chemical industry, the mobility sector, and in urban energy provision. The partners in the ‘H2 research caverns’ research project include gas infrastructure companies VGS and ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, as well as the DBI-Gastechnologisches Institut in Freiberg, Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle, IfG Institute of Geomechanics in Leipzig, and associate partners Terrawatt Planungsgesellschaft in Leipzig and Linde. HYPOS: www.hypos-eastgermany.de/en
ZSW, DLR testing optimised electrolyser at industrial P2G plant
T
he Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research BadenWürttemberg (ZSW) in Germany and its partners recently tested an option on a research platform that could help cut the costs of producing ‘green’ hydrogen using renewable energy. Earlier this year the consortium deployed a research electrolyser for a trial at a commercial 1 MW Power-to-Gas (P2G) plant in the southern town of Grenzach-Wyhlen. Initial trials went well, with ZSW and the DLR German Aerospace Center achieving a 20% increase in power density using new electrode coatings. This means the plant is able to generate one-fifth more hydrogen than an industrial plant of the same size and with the same energy consumption. The researchers are now investigating the durability of the improved electrode coating. Another advantage is that the research electrolyser consists of just a few components, and so is well suited for mass manufacturing, which could drive down the cost of electrolysers. The project’s 11 stakeholders are also seeking to analyse compressors, rectifiers, and pressure reservoirs with an eye to their cost and efficiency potential, with the eventual aim of turning promising ideas into products. The state of Baden-Württemberg is providing E4.5 million (US$5.1 million) of the project funding. ‘Participating companies and institutes can test and optimise components in a real environment in this research facility,’ says
June 2019
Dr Michael Specht, head of the Renewable Fuels and Processes department at ZSW. ‘For example, we have been testing an optimised alkaline pressure electrolysis plant with up to 300 kW output under real-world conditions since January. It features newly developed, cheaper electrodes and a simpler design.’ This research initiative is part of the Powerto-Gas Baden-Württemberg ‘lighthouse’ project, in which power company EnergieDienst aims to operate an electrolysis plant to produce hydrogen on an industrial scale at Wyhlen. The commercial plant, up and running on a trial basis since November, can now produce around 500 kg of hydrogen per day (enough for more than 1000 average daily trips in fuel cell electric vehicles). The ZSW scientists’ research facility is connected to this plant, and also operates under real-world conditions. A neighbouring hydroelectric power plant on the Rhine River supplies the electricity for both facilities. The hydrogen produced by the two electrolysis units is combined and trucked to the point of use. The ZSW-led project calls for the scientists to monitor both plants, including live data surveillance, and monitoring commenced in January. By the end of this year, the researchers will have examined data generated in the course of some 4000 operating hours.
‘Hydrogen is an important component in our production of renewable fuels, but supplies of fossil-free hydrogen are low,’ says Petter Holland, CEO of Preem. ‘The partnership with Vattenfall allows us to produce fossil-free hydrogen using electrolysis, which will increase the renewability of our fuels by a few more percent. The plant maximises the currently available grid capacity, which needs to be expanded to reach its full potential.’ Preem aims to produce 3 million m3 of renewable fuel by 2030, which together with direct electrification would account for the bulk of the planned reduction in CO2 emissions in the Swedish transport sector. The company has identified a number of strategic investment opportunities that would enable it to be less fossil-dependent, with a significant contribution coming from increased electrification of the production of ‘green’ hydrogen. Vattenfall is also working with Gasunie and Statoil to evaluate the feasibility of converting one of the three 440 MW combined cycle gas turbine units at Vattenfall Nuon’s Magnum power plant in the Netherlands to run on hydrogen [see the News Focus in August 2017]. Vattenfall: www.vattenfall.com Preem: www.preem.com/in-english
ZSW, Renewable Fuels: www.zsw-bw.de/en/research/ renewable-fuels/topics.html DLR German Aerospace Center: www.dlr.de EnergieDienst, Power-to-Gas: https://tinyurl.com/energiedienst-p2g [in German]
GREEN HYDROGEN
Vattenfall, Preem in fossil-free hydrogen production partnership
I
n Sweden, electric utility Vattenfall and petroleum company Preem have signed a three-year agreement to expand their collaboration on fossilfree hydrogen for biofuel production, electrification, and electricity supply. Work on the first joint project is now being intensified, with ongoing preparations for fossil-free hydrogen production through water electrolysis at Preem’s refinery on the island of Hisingen, outside Gothenburg. The aim is to develop a plant with a 20 MW capacity, which would be Europe’s largest water electrolysis plant for the refinery sector. (ITM Power is developing a 10 MW PEM electrolyser for the REFHYNE project at Shell’s Rhineland refinery in Germany [FCB, February 2018, p10].)
COMMERCIALISATION
AFC wraps Ammoniato-Power fuel cell generator trials, plans commercial system
U
K-based AFC Energy has successfully completed an 18-month Ammoniato-Power (A2P) trial, and confirmed plans to conclude work on the business case and engineering of an integrated, scalable, ammonia-fueled clean power generator based on its alkaline fuel cell technology. The system, which utilises existing ammonia cracking technology alongside AFC’s alkaline fuel cell system, would enable the use of its fuel cells in off-grid locations where electricity would be generated through the consumption of ammonia, a low-cost, readily available commodity chemical. AFC sees a commercial opportunity to deploy its alkaline fuel cell system to replace off-grid stationary diesel gensets, but thus far the limited availability of low-cost hydrogen has been an obstacle to deployment in more remote, off-grid locations. The trials showed negligible difference in fuel cell performance between directly using hydrogen
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11
NEWS gas sourced from industrial gas companies, and that sourced from cracked ammonia. The system can utilise readily available, off-the-shelf ammonia crackers, without the need for further R&D that would probably delay (and add cost) to go-tomarket strategies. AFC Energy’s ability to accept lower-grade, lower-cost hydrogen derived from readily available ammonia is a key advantage not only to the off-grid deployment of its fuel cell system, but also in the logistical sourcing of the fuel in locations where hydrogen is not easily available. The company has now commenced work on the design and business case for an integrated power system that is consistent with its approach to identifying third-party hydrogen solutions for use within its off-grid power generation unit. AFC has been approached by international organisations regarding the possibility of full system integration at scales up to 1 MW or more. The R&D was initiated under the Alkammonia project, co-funded by the EU-supported Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) [FCB, January 2013, p9, and see the AFC feature in December 2015]. The integration of ammonia fueling also has the potential to provide a highly cost-effective fuel source for the company’s CH2ARGE zero-emissions electric vehicle (EV) recharging system [February 2019, p12]. AFC Energy: www.afcenergy.com Alkammonia project: www.alkammonia.eu
Ballard wins order from Weichai JV for initial FCEVs in China
C
anadian-based Ballard Power Systems has reached agreement with Weichai Ballard Hy-Energy Technologies Co Ltd, its Chinese joint venture with Weichai Power Co Ltd [FCB, September 2018, p10], to supply a mix of certain fuel cell products and components that will be used in the assembly of modules to power fuel cell commercial vehicles in China. Once assembled by the JV, the final modules will be sold to Weichai Power to support initial deployments in Weichai’s commitment to supply a minimum of 2000 fuel cell modules for bus, commercial truck, and forklift applications in China. All products and components to be supplied by Ballard, as well as related applications engineering support, are planned for delivery in 2019 and 2020, and will be based on its next-generation LCS stack technology [October 2018, p12]. The order is 12
Fuel Cells Bulletin
worth approximately US$44 million to Ballard. ‘Since the closing of our strategic collaboration, we have been moving very quickly together to prepare the Weichai-Ballard JV manufacturing facility for the assembly of Ballard fuel cell stacks and modules,’ says Randy MacEwen, President and CEO of Ballard. ‘We anticipate the WeichaiBallard JV facility will be operational by the end of 2019, positioning us with a strong setup in the China market for 2020.’ Ballard closed its strategic collaboration transaction with Weichai last November [December 2018, p13]. The transaction includes a $163.6 million equity investment by Weichai in Ballard; the establishment of a JV company in Shandong Province, along with $90 million in technology transfer payments from the JV to Ballard; and Weichai’s intention to support the deployment of at least 2000 commercial FCEVs by 2021, using Ballard technology [see also page 4]. Ballard Power Systems: www.ballard.com Weichai Power Co Ltd: http://en.weichaipower.com
DPS and Chemistry Consulting partner to serve Danish industry
I
n Denmark, Danish Power Systems has signed a cooperation agreement with Chemistry Consulting, which is expected to lead to closer collaboration, building on their five years of working together to provide enhanced chemical consulting services for Danish industry. Danish Power Systems is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-temperature PEM fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) [FCB, July 2010, p11], and has used its expertise in materials technology to provide consultancy services for many national and international companies over the years. In the same industry, Chemistry Consulting, which specialises in chemical raw materials, has delivered a number of technical solutions, for both small and large industrial companies. The companies’ core competencies in chemicals mean there will be a strong focus on the development of chemical analysis, handling and use of chemicals, as well as materials development. Both companies also have broad knowledge of IT and process management, energy technologies, and outsourcing. The various consulting tasks are primarily carried out in Kvistgård, where Danish Power Systems has had headquarters and production facilities since 2014, which are equipped with the necessary equipment to solve the various tasks that arise. The partners also offer tailor-made training for companies working in the chemicals sector.
Danish Power Systems regularly has students from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Copenhagen Business School (CBS), who write their theses with input from the company’s employees. The company has over the years hosted students from the US, South Korea, Spain and elsewhere, who have been trained and trained within its framework. Danish Power Systems: www.daposy.com Chemistry Consulting: www.chemistryconsulting.eu/en
Zero Emission Valley under way in France with Hympulsion JV
I
n France, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional council, Michelin, Engie, the Banque des Territoires and the Crédit Agricole bank have formalised their financial commitment to Hympulsion, the project company tasked with deploying the largest renewable hydrogen-driven mobility project in France: Zero Emission Valley. The agreement was announced at the recent 32nd Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS32) in Lyon. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Banque des Territoires have acquired a 49% stake in Hympulsion as part of a unique public partnership, while the Michelin Group, Engie, and Crédit Agricole together own the remaining 51%. Hympulsion is now operational, and will help speed up deployment of the Zero Emission Valley – France’s first renewable hydrogen-driven mobility project for professional captive fleets, representing 1000 vehicles and 20 hydrogen refueling stations. The project, co-financed by European funding, will provide vehicles and ‘green’ hydrogen at an overall cost on a par with diesel. The sheer scale of this project means that it will provide 25% of the vehicles announced in the ‘national hydrogen plan’ by 2023 [FCB, July 2018, p10]. The first stone of the Chambéry station is being laid in this month [April 2019, p14], with the official opening scheduled for Q4 of 2019. A temporary station will open in Clermont-Ferrand at the end of August. Future stations will be opened across 10 areas, including Lyon, Grenoble, and Saint-Etienne. Meanwhile, subsidies will be awarded both by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the European Union to cover the purchase of 1000 vehicles. The finance application for Hympulsion is being managed by the French Environment & Energy Management Agency ADEME, within the framework of the ‘H2 Mobility – Hydrogen
June 2019
ZSW, DLR testing optimised electrolyser at industrial P2G plant
T
he Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research BadenWürttemberg (ZSW) in Germany and its partners recently tested an option on a research platform that could help cut the costs of producing ‘green’ hydrogen using renewable energy. Earlier this year the consortium deployed a research electrolyser for a trial at a commercial 1 MW Power-to-Gas (P2G) plant in the southern town of Grenzach-Wyhlen. Initial trials went well, with ZSW and the DLR German Aerospace Center achieving a 20% increase in power density using new electrode coatings. This means the plant is able to generate one-fifth more hydrogen than an industrial plant of the same size and with the same energy consumption. The researchers are now investigating the durability of the improved electrode coating. Another advantage is that the research electrolyser consists of just a few components, and so is well suited for mass manufacturing, which could drive down the cost of electrolysers. The project’s 11 stakeholders are also seeking to analyse compressors, rectifiers, and pressure reservoirs with an eye to their cost and efficiency potential, with the eventual aim of turning promising ideas into products. The state of Baden-Württemberg is providing E4.5 million (US$5.1 million) of the project funding. ‘Participating companies and institutes can test and optimise components in a real environment in this research facility,’ says
June 2019
Dr Michael Specht, head of the Renewable Fuels and Processes department at ZSW. ‘For example, we have been testing an optimised alkaline pressure electrolysis plant with up to 300 kW output under real-world conditions since January. It features newly developed, cheaper electrodes and a simpler design.’ This research initiative is part of the Powerto-Gas Baden-Württemberg ‘lighthouse’ project, in which power company EnergieDienst aims to operate an electrolysis plant to produce hydrogen on an industrial scale at Wyhlen. The commercial plant, up and running on a trial basis since November, can now produce around 500 kg of hydrogen per day (enough for more than 1000 average daily trips in fuel cell electric vehicles). The ZSW scientists’ research facility is connected to this plant, and also operates under real-world conditions. A neighbouring hydroelectric power plant on the Rhine River supplies the electricity for both facilities. The hydrogen produced by the two electrolysis units is combined and trucked to the point of use. The ZSW-led project calls for the scientists to monitor both plants, including live data surveillance, and monitoring commenced in January. By the end of this year, the researchers will have examined data generated in the course of some 4000 operating hours.
‘Hydrogen is an important component in our production of renewable fuels, but supplies of fossil-free hydrogen are low,’ says Petter Holland, CEO of Preem. ‘The partnership with Vattenfall allows us to produce fossil-free hydrogen using electrolysis, which will increase the renewability of our fuels by a few more percent. The plant maximises the currently available grid capacity, which needs to be expanded to reach its full potential.’ Preem aims to produce 3 million m3 of renewable fuel by 2030, which together with direct electrification would account for the bulk of the planned reduction in CO2 emissions in the Swedish transport sector. The company has identified a number of strategic investment opportunities that would enable it to be less fossil-dependent, with a significant contribution coming from increased electrification of the production of ‘green’ hydrogen. Vattenfall is also working with Gasunie and Statoil to evaluate the feasibility of converting one of the three 440 MW combined cycle gas turbine units at Vattenfall Nuon’s Magnum power plant in the Netherlands to run on hydrogen [see the News Focus in August 2017]. Vattenfall: www.vattenfall.com Preem: www.preem.com/in-english
ZSW, Renewable Fuels: www.zsw-bw.de/en/research/ renewable-fuels/topics.html DLR German Aerospace Center: www.dlr.de EnergieDienst, Power-to-Gas: https://tinyurl.com/energiedienst-p2g [in German]
GREEN HYDROGEN
Vattenfall, Preem in fossil-free hydrogen production partnership
I
n Sweden, electric utility Vattenfall and petroleum company Preem have signed a three-year agreement to expand their collaboration on fossilfree hydrogen for biofuel production, electrification, and electricity supply. Work on the first joint project is now being intensified, with ongoing preparations for fossil-free hydrogen production through water electrolysis at Preem’s refinery on the island of Hisingen, outside Gothenburg. The aim is to develop a plant with a 20 MW capacity, which would be Europe’s largest water electrolysis plant for the refinery sector. (ITM Power is developing a 10 MW PEM electrolyser for the REFHYNE project at Shell’s Rhineland refinery in Germany [FCB, February 2018, p10].)
COMMERCIALISATION
AFC wraps Ammoniato-Power fuel cell generator trials, plans commercial system
U
K-based AFC Energy has successfully completed an 18-month Ammoniato-Power (A2P) trial, and confirmed plans to conclude work on the business case and engineering of an integrated, scalable, ammonia-fueled clean power generator based on its alkaline fuel cell technology. The system, which utilises existing ammonia cracking technology alongside AFC’s alkaline fuel cell system, would enable the use of its fuel cells in off-grid locations where electricity would be generated through the consumption of ammonia, a low-cost, readily available commodity chemical. AFC sees a commercial opportunity to deploy its alkaline fuel cell system to replace off-grid stationary diesel gensets, but thus far the limited availability of low-cost hydrogen has been an obstacle to deployment in more remote, off-grid locations. The trials showed negligible difference in fuel cell performance between directly using hydrogen
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11
NEWS gas sourced from industrial gas companies, and that sourced from cracked ammonia. The system can utilise readily available, off-the-shelf ammonia crackers, without the need for further R&D that would probably delay (and add cost) to go-tomarket strategies. AFC Energy’s ability to accept lower-grade, lower-cost hydrogen derived from readily available ammonia is a key advantage not only to the off-grid deployment of its fuel cell system, but also in the logistical sourcing of the fuel in locations where hydrogen is not easily available. The company has now commenced work on the design and business case for an integrated power system that is consistent with its approach to identifying third-party hydrogen solutions for use within its off-grid power generation unit. AFC has been approached by international organisations regarding the possibility of full system integration at scales up to 1 MW or more. The R&D was initiated under the Alkammonia project, co-funded by the EU-supported Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) [FCB, January 2013, p9, and see the AFC feature in December 2015]. The integration of ammonia fueling also has the potential to provide a highly cost-effective fuel source for the company’s CH2ARGE zero-emissions electric vehicle (EV) recharging system [February 2019, p12]. AFC Energy: www.afcenergy.com Alkammonia project: www.alkammonia.eu
Ballard wins order from Weichai JV for initial FCEVs in China
C
anadian-based Ballard Power Systems has reached agreement with Weichai Ballard Hy-Energy Technologies Co Ltd, its Chinese joint venture with Weichai Power Co Ltd [FCB, September 2018, p10], to supply a mix of certain fuel cell products and components that will be used in the assembly of modules to power fuel cell commercial vehicles in China. Once assembled by the JV, the final modules will be sold to Weichai Power to support initial deployments in Weichai’s commitment to supply a minimum of 2000 fuel cell modules for bus, commercial truck, and forklift applications in China. All products and components to be supplied by Ballard, as well as related applications engineering support, are planned for delivery in 2019 and 2020, and will be based on its next-generation LCS stack technology [October 2018, p12]. The order is 12
Fuel Cells Bulletin
worth approximately US$44 million to Ballard. ‘Since the closing of our strategic collaboration, we have been moving very quickly together to prepare the Weichai-Ballard JV manufacturing facility for the assembly of Ballard fuel cell stacks and modules,’ says Randy MacEwen, President and CEO of Ballard. ‘We anticipate the WeichaiBallard JV facility will be operational by the end of 2019, positioning us with a strong setup in the China market for 2020.’ Ballard closed its strategic collaboration transaction with Weichai last November [December 2018, p13]. The transaction includes a $163.6 million equity investment by Weichai in Ballard; the establishment of a JV company in Shandong Province, along with $90 million in technology transfer payments from the JV to Ballard; and Weichai’s intention to support the deployment of at least 2000 commercial FCEVs by 2021, using Ballard technology [see also page 4]. Ballard Power Systems: www.ballard.com Weichai Power Co Ltd: http://en.weichaipower.com
DPS and Chemistry Consulting partner to serve Danish industry
I
n Denmark, Danish Power Systems has signed a cooperation agreement with Chemistry Consulting, which is expected to lead to closer collaboration, building on their five years of working together to provide enhanced chemical consulting services for Danish industry. Danish Power Systems is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-temperature PEM fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) [FCB, July 2010, p11], and has used its expertise in materials technology to provide consultancy services for many national and international companies over the years. In the same industry, Chemistry Consulting, which specialises in chemical raw materials, has delivered a number of technical solutions, for both small and large industrial companies. The companies’ core competencies in chemicals mean there will be a strong focus on the development of chemical analysis, handling and use of chemicals, as well as materials development. Both companies also have broad knowledge of IT and process management, energy technologies, and outsourcing. The various consulting tasks are primarily carried out in Kvistgård, where Danish Power Systems has had headquarters and production facilities since 2014, which are equipped with the necessary equipment to solve the various tasks that arise. The partners also offer tailor-made training for companies working in the chemicals sector.
Danish Power Systems regularly has students from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Copenhagen Business School (CBS), who write their theses with input from the company’s employees. The company has over the years hosted students from the US, South Korea, Spain and elsewhere, who have been trained and trained within its framework. Danish Power Systems: www.daposy.com Chemistry Consulting: www.chemistryconsulting.eu/en
Zero Emission Valley under way in France with Hympulsion JV
I
n France, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional council, Michelin, Engie, the Banque des Territoires and the Crédit Agricole bank have formalised their financial commitment to Hympulsion, the project company tasked with deploying the largest renewable hydrogen-driven mobility project in France: Zero Emission Valley. The agreement was announced at the recent 32nd Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS32) in Lyon. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Banque des Territoires have acquired a 49% stake in Hympulsion as part of a unique public partnership, while the Michelin Group, Engie, and Crédit Agricole together own the remaining 51%. Hympulsion is now operational, and will help speed up deployment of the Zero Emission Valley – France’s first renewable hydrogen-driven mobility project for professional captive fleets, representing 1000 vehicles and 20 hydrogen refueling stations. The project, co-financed by European funding, will provide vehicles and ‘green’ hydrogen at an overall cost on a par with diesel. The sheer scale of this project means that it will provide 25% of the vehicles announced in the ‘national hydrogen plan’ by 2023 [FCB, July 2018, p10]. The first stone of the Chambéry station is being laid in this month [April 2019, p14], with the official opening scheduled for Q4 of 2019. A temporary station will open in Clermont-Ferrand at the end of August. Future stations will be opened across 10 areas, including Lyon, Grenoble, and Saint-Etienne. Meanwhile, subsidies will be awarded both by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the European Union to cover the purchase of 1000 vehicles. The finance application for Hympulsion is being managed by the French Environment & Energy Management Agency ADEME, within the framework of the ‘H2 Mobility – Hydrogen
June 2019