Control and energy efficiency of PEM water electrolyzers in renewable energy systems

Koponen, Joonas; Kosonen, Antti; Ruuskanen, Vesa; Huoman, Kimmo; Niemelä, Markku; Ahola, Jero

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.10.056

Cited by 92 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…[ 5 ] PEMWE has a higher tolerance to differential pressures and current fluctuations as well as system shutdowns and cold‐starts. [ 6–9 ] Consequently, PEMWE can be better coupled with fluctuating energy sources and electrochemical hydrogen compression. [ 5,10,11 ] Main drawbacks of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers are the comparably high investment costs and the need for platinum group metals (PGMs) electrocatalysts: namely iridium and platinum.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication of a Robust PEM Water Electrolyzer Based on Non‐Noble Metal Cathode Catalyst: [Mo₃S₁₃]²⁻ Clusters Anchored to N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes

Holzapfel

Bühler

Escalera‐López

et al. 2020

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High investment costs and a dependence on noble metal catalysts currently obstruct the large‐scale implementation of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) for converting fluctuating green electricity into chemical energy via water splitting. In this context, this work presents a high‐performing and stable non‐noble metal catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), consisting of [Mo3S13]2− clusters supported on nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs). Strikingly, a significant electrochemically induced activation of the Mo3S13‐NCNT catalyst at high current densities is observed in full cell configuration, enabling a remarkable current density of 4 A cm−2 at a cell voltage of 2.36 V. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the highest reported value to date for a PEMWE full cell using a non‐noble metal HER catalyst. Furthermore, only a minor degradation of 83 µV h−1 is observed during a stability test of 100 h constant current at 1 A cm−2, with a nearly unchanged polarization behavior after the current hold. Catalyst stability and activity are additionally analyzed via online dissolution measurements. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy examination of the catalyst before and after electrochemical application reveals a correlation between the electrochemical activation occurring via electrodissolution with changes in the molecular structure of the Mo3S13‐NCNT catalyst.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication of a Robust PEM Water Electrolyzer Based on Non‐Noble Metal Cathode Catalyst: [Mo₃S₁₃]²⁻ Clusters Anchored to N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes

Holzapfel

Bühler

Escalera‐López

et al. 2020

Small

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“…The system efficiency of PEM water electrolysis has been reported to vary in a range of 62-77% defined by the higher heating value (HHV) of hydrogen of 39.41 kWh per kg H2 (Decourt et al 2014). A stack efficiency of 80% (HHV) has been measured for a commercial 5 kW PEM stack under differential pressure (Koponen et al 2017). The Balance of Plant (BOP) energy consumption of the hydrogen production unit has been estimated to be 8% of the PEM stack energy consumption including the stack power supply losses (Colella et al 2014).…”

Section: Electricity-to-biomass Efficiency Of a Bioreactormentioning

confidence: 99%

A life cycle environmental sustainability analysis of microbial protein production via power-to-food approaches

Sillman

Uusitalo

Ruuskanen

et al. 2020

Int J Life Cycle Assess

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Purpose Renewable energy produced from wind turbines and solar photovoltaics (PV) has rapidly increased its share in global energy markets. At the same time, interest in producing hydrocarbons via power-to-X (PtX) approaches using renewables has grown as the technology has matured. However, there exist knowledge gaps related to environmental impacts of some PtX approaches. Power-to-food (PtF) application is one of those approaches. To evaluate the environmental impacts of different PtF approaches, life cycle assessment was performed. Methods The theoretical environmental potential of a novel concept of PtX technologies was investigated. Because PtX approaches have usually multiple technological solutions, such as the studied PtF application can have, several technological setups were chosen for the study. PtF application is seen as potentially being able to alleviate concerns about the sustainability of the global food sector, for example, as regards the land and water use impacts of food production. This study investigated four different environmental impact categories for microbial protein (MP) production via different technological setups of PtF from a cradle-to-gate perspective. The investigated impact categories include global warming potential, blue-water use, land use, and eutrophication. The research was carried out using a life cycle impact assessment method. Results and discussion The results for PtF processes were compared with the impacts of other MP production technologies and soybean production. The results indicate that significantly lower environmental impact can be achieved with PtF compared with the other protein production processes studied. The best-case PtF technology setups cause considerably lower land occupation, eutrophication, and blue-water consumption impacts compared with soybean production. However, the energy source used and the electricity-to-biomass efficiency of the bioreactor greatly affect the sustainability of the PtF approach. Some energy sources and technological choices result in higher environmental impacts than other MP and soybean production. When designing PtF production facilities, special attention should thus be given to the technology used. Conclusions With some qualifications, PtF can be considered an option for improving global food security at minimal environmental impact. If the MP via the introduced application substitutes the most harmful practices of production other protein sources, the saved resources could be used to, for example, mitigation purposes or to improve food security elsewhere. However, there still exist challenges, such as food safety–related issues, to be solved before PtF application can be used for commercial use.

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“…Fuel transportation 99% 95% [193] 5 Methanol Fuel cell system Hydrogen Fuel cell system 50% 60% [145,194] Firstly, due to power conditioning, transmission losses, and electricity management around 10% of energy input is lost in the process from renewable energy sources to the electrolyzer plant [190]. Then, if a PEM electrolyzer system is used efficiencies based on hydrogen HHV of around 78% can be obtained [191]. In [195], similar values were reported for large electrolyzer plant.…”

Section: Energy Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 83%

A Review of The Methanol Economy: The Fuel Cell Route

et al. 2020

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This review presents methanol as a potential renewable alternative to fossil fuels in the fight against climate change. It explores the renewable ways of obtaining methanol and its use in efficient energy systems for a net zero-emission carbon cycle, with a special focus on fuel cells. It investigates the different parts of the carbon cycle from a methanol and fuel cell perspective. In recent years, the potential for a methanol economy has been shown and there has been significant technological advancement of its renewable production and utilization. Even though its full adoption will require further development, it can be produced from renewable electricity and biomass or CO2 capture and can be used in several industrial sectors, which make it an excellent liquid electrofuel for the transition to a sustainable economy. By converting CO2 into liquid fuels, the harmful effects of CO2 emissions from existing industries that still rely on fossil fuels are reduced. The methanol can then be used both in the energy sector and the chemical industry, and become an all-around substitute for petroleum. The scope of this review is to put together the different aspects of methanol as an energy carrier of the future, with particular focus on its renewable production and its use in high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) via methanol steam reforming.

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Control and energy efficiency of PEM water electrolyzers in renewable energy systems

Cited by 92 publications

References 25 publications

Fabrication of a Robust PEM Water Electrolyzer Based on Non‐Noble Metal Cathode Catalyst: [Mo₃S₁₃]²⁻ Clusters Anchored to N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes

Fabrication of a Robust PEM Water Electrolyzer Based on Non‐Noble Metal Cathode Catalyst: [Mo₃S₁₃]²⁻ Clusters Anchored to N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes

A life cycle environmental sustainability analysis of microbial protein production via power-to-food approaches

A Review of The Methanol Economy: The Fuel Cell Route

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Control and energy efficiency of PEM water electrolyzers in renewable energy systems

Cited by 92 publications

References 25 publications

Fabrication of a Robust PEM Water Electrolyzer Based on Non‐Noble Metal Cathode Catalyst: [Mo3S13]2− Clusters Anchored to N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes

Fabrication of a Robust PEM Water Electrolyzer Based on Non‐Noble Metal Cathode Catalyst: [Mo3S13]2− Clusters Anchored to N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes

A life cycle environmental sustainability analysis of microbial protein production via power-to-food approaches

A Review of The Methanol Economy: The Fuel Cell Route

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Fabrication of a Robust PEM Water Electrolyzer Based on Non‐Noble Metal Cathode Catalyst: [Mo₃S₁₃]²⁻ Clusters Anchored to N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes

Fabrication of a Robust PEM Water Electrolyzer Based on Non‐Noble Metal Cathode Catalyst: [Mo₃S₁₃]²⁻ Clusters Anchored to N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes