Development and implementation of online monitoring and diagnostic tools for electrolysers
European Comission
ExpectedOutcome :
The implementation of GW-scale hydrogen production through water electrolysis is being planned within the next decade. Coupling of these installations with fluctuating renewable energy sources (RES) is increasingly attracting interest due to the imminent decarbonisation of the electrical energy system. To ensure long lifetime even during transient operation, and hence low cost of ownership, tools for monitoring, diagnostics, and control are needed to optimise operation and detect fault conditions at an early stage. Such tools have been demonstrated in research labs and have been part of several EU projects paving the way for the implementation of new methodologies within commercial systems embedding high-temperature (DESIGN, DIAMOND, INSIGHT, REACTT, a.o.) and low-temperature systems (D-CODE, SAPPHIRE, INSIDE, HEALTH-CODE, RUBY, a.o.). All of these projects focused on fuel cells with the exception of INSIDE and REACTT which looked at electrolysers, and these systems have not yet been demonstrated and integrated into electrolyser systems of industrially relevant scale (> 100 kW). In addition, robust methodologies for interpretation need to be developed and validated specifically for electrolysis, both in a representative embedded hardware for the algorithms and monitoring, and in a representative industrial system.
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Providing new product ideas and solutions addressing monitoring and diagnostics of electrolysis systems, including hardware and software.
- Contributing to securing safe operation of large-scale systems such as AEL, PEMEL, SOEL, and AEMEL and reduce the cost of ownership. [AEL: alkaline electrolyser, PEMEL: Proton exchange membrane electrolyser, SOEL: solid oxide electrolyser, AEMEL: Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyser]
- Contributing to extending the lifetime of electrolysers, namely under fluctuating electricity input conditions.
Project results are expected to contribute to the following objectives of the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA:
- Reducing electrolyser OPEX;
- Improving dynamic operation and efficiency, with high durability and reliability, especially when operating dynamically;
- Demonstrate the value of electrolysers for the power system through their ability to provide flexibility and allow higher integration of renewables;
- Increasing the scale of deployment;
- Develop tools and methods for monitoring, diagnostics and control of electrolyser systems.
KPIs that should be addressed by this topic:
- Prediction of higher than 95% of fault detection and isolation (FDI).
- Cost of monitoring and diagnostic system should be limited no more than 3% of system cost:
- AEL: €24/(kgH2/d) or €12/kW
- PEMEL: €30/(kgH2/d) or €15/kW
- SOEL: €24/(kgH2/d) or €15,6/kW
- AEMEL: €18/(kgH2/d) or €9/kW
- Contribute to reduce degradation:
- AEL: 0.10%/1000 hrs
- PEMEL: 0.12%/1000 hrs
- SOEL: 0.50%/1000 hrs
- AEMEL: 0.50%/1000hrs
- Improve reliability towards the target of 99% Scope :
In previous projects [See detailed list in the expected outcome section], proof of concepts of smart sensing technologies and functionalities have been integrated into the Management System. The main objective is, thus, focused on the development of monitoring tools and diagnostic techniques integrated in an Electrolyser Management System (EMS) that can range from processing conventional signals to advanced techniques including Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Physical and virtual sensor development should be addressed in the advanced solutions to be developed.
The scope of this topic is to further develop methods and tools for monitoring and diagnostics of electrolyser systems and demonstrate these at an industrially relevant scale (> 100 kW) on one electrolyser type. Such tools would help reduce OPEX by making dynamic operation more durable and reliable, reducing degradation on the system, and increasing the system efficiency. The commercial utilisation and exploitation should be clearly considered in the project.
Proposals should address the following:
- Develop a generic open-access monitoring and diagnostic platform that enables interoperability and thus allow for its utilisation by different electrolyser technologies;
- Identify suitable cell, stack and system level monitoring parameters which indicate a possible critical state of the cell/stack/module within the system;
- Develop reliable diagnostic algorithms to determine the remaining useful lifetime depending on the state of health of the cell components/cell/stack/module. Both physical model-based approaches and data-driven approaches are eligible;
- Develop the hardware for the implementation of these advanced Monitoring, Diagnostic and Lifetime Prediction tools that is able to interact with common control units and power electronics of the electrolyser system to trigger counter actions;
- Validate the diagnostic approach and the developed hardware for monitoring and lifetime prediction on at least two technologies (PEMEL, AEL, AEMEL or SOEL) in laboratory scale;
- Develop and propose strategies to sustain performance and improve durability of cells, stacks and systems for each tested technology. Demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy on short stack level or larger;
- Demonstrate functionality and resilience of the devices on electrolysers of power > 100 kW operated in representative or real conditions on at least one technology (PEM, AEL or SOEL), including fluctuating RES electricity input. Any demonstrator used in the proof-of-concept phase should already exist or be funded by other projects (TRL 6);
- Provide the prospect to integrate the tool for real time simultaneous monitoring of multiple stack and module key parameters and indicators. The EMS will receive output data in real-time from physical/virtual sensors of the EMS;
Proposals may address the following:
- Establish database of the measured experimental data to help future efforts into the development of new electrolyser operation schemes.
- Ensure the efficiency of the monitoring system in all kinds of environments.
Proposals are encouraged to explore synergies with projects within the metrology research programme run under the EURAMET research programmes EMPIR and EMRP (in particular on metrology for standardised seawater pHT measurements and metrology for ocean salinity and acidity).
For activities developing test protocols and procedures for the performance and durability assessment of electrolysers and fuel cell components, proposals should foresee a collaboration with JRC (see section 2.2.4.3 "Collaboration with JRC"), in order to support EU-wide harmonisation. Test activities should adopt the already published EU harmonised testing protocols (including Accelerated Stress Testing protocols) to benchmark performance and quantify progress at programme level.
For additional elements applicable to all topics please refer to section 2.2.3.2.
Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project - see General Annex B.
The JU estimates that an EU contribution of maximum EUR 4.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
Specific Topic Conditions :
Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project - See General Annex B.
General conditions
- Admissibility conditions: described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Page limit for Innovation Actions
For all Innovation Actions the page limit of the applications are 70 pages.
- Eligible countries: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .
- Other eligibility conditions: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
Additional eligibility condition: Maximum contribution per topic
For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to limit the Clean Hydrogen JU requested contribution mostly for actions performed at high TRL level, including demonstration in real operational environment and with important involvement from industrial stakeholders and/or end users such as public authorities. Such actions are expected to leverage co-funding as commitment from stakeholders. It is of added value that such leverage is shown through the private investment in these specific topics. Therefore, proposals requesting contributions above the amounts specified per each topic below will not be evaluated:
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-05: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 10.00 million
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-03: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-04: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-05: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 8.00 million
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-04-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 5.00 million
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 20.00 million
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-02: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 9.00 million
Additional eligibility condition: Membership to Hydrogen Europe / Hydrogen Europe Research
F or some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to ensure that one partner in the consortium is a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research. This concerns topics targeting actions for large-scale demonstrations, flagship projects and strategic research actions, where the industrial and research partners of the Clean Hydrogen JU are considered to play a key role in accelerating the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies by being closely linked to the Clean Hydrogen JU constituency, which could further ensure full alignment with the SRIA of the JU. This approach shall also ensure the continuity of the work performed within projects funded through the H2020 and FP7, by building up on their experience and consolidating the EU value-chain. In the Call 2024 this applies to the demonstration of innovative hydrogen production for energy intensive industries and the chemical sectors, demonstration of innovative technologies for the distribution of hydrogen including multi-purpose hydrogen refueling infrastructure, demonstration of hydrogen-powered inland shipping or short sea shipping solutions. This will also apply to the two Hydrogen Valley topics as they are considered of strategic importance for the European Union ambitions to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys by 2025. For these flagship topics large amount of co-investment/co-funding of project participants/beneficiaries including national and regional programmes is expected. This applies to the following topics:
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-05
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-03
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-04
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-05
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-04-01
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-02
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes
Evaluation and award:
Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes
Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual
Seal of Excellence:
For the two topics in the Call 2024 addressing Hydrogen Valleys, the ‘Seal of Excellence’ will be awarded to applications exceeding all of the evaluation thresholds set out in this Annual Work Programme but cannot be funded due to lack of budget available to the call. This will further improve the chances of good proposals, otherwise not selected, to find alternative funding in other Union programmes, including those managed by national or regional Managing Authorities. With prior authorisation from the applicants, the Clean Hydrogen JU may share information concerning the proposal and the evaluation with interested financing authorities. In this Annual Work Programme ‘Seal of Excellence’ will be awarded for the following topic(s):
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-0 2
- Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes
- Legal and financial set-up of the grants: described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes
In addition to the standard provisions, the following specific provisions in the model grant agreement will apply:
- Lump Sum
This year’s call for proposals will take the form of lump sums as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021- 2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). Lump sums will be used across all topics in the Call 2024.
- Full capitalised costs for purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action
For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, mostly large-scale demonstrators or flagship projects specific equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action (or developed as part of the action tasks) can exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs. This concerns the topics below:
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-05
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-03
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-04
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-05
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-04-01
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01
HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-02
- Subcontracting
For all topics: an additional obligation regarding subcontracting has been introduced, namely that subcontracted work may only be performed in target countries set out in the call conditions.
The beneficiaries must ensure that the subcontracted work is performed in the countries set out in the call conditions.
The target countries are all Member States of the European Union and all Associated Countries.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
Specific conditions
- Specific conditions: described in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2024 Annual Work Programme
Documents
Call documents:
Application form
Evaluation form
Model Grant Agreement (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Clean Hydrogen JU - Annual Work Programme 2024 (AWP 2024)
Clean Hydrogen JU - Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)
Lump Sums Guidance
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 13. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual