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Challenges of Industrial-Scale Testing Infrastructure for Green Hydrogen Technologies

Author

Listed:
  • Jonas Bollmann

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, Am Haupttor, BC 4310, 06237 Leuna, Germany)

  • Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu

    (Research Centre for Carbon Solutions, Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

  • Moritz F. Kühnel

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, Am Haupttor, BC 4310, 06237 Leuna, Germany
    Department of Chemistry, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK)

Abstract

Green hydrogen is set to become the energy carrier of the future, provided that production technologies such as electrolysis and solar water splitting can be scaled to global dimensions. Testing these hydrogen technologies on the MW scale requires the development of dedicated new test facilities for which there is no precedent. This perspective highlights the challenges to be met on the path to implementing a test facility for large-scale water electrolysis, photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic water splitting and aims to serve as a much-needed blueprint for future test facilities based on the authors’ own experience in establishing the Hydrogen Lab Leuna. Key aspects to be considered are the electricity and utility requirements of the devices under testing, the analysis of the produced H 2 and O 2 and the safety regulations for handling large quantities of H 2 . Choosing the right location is crucial not only for meeting these device requirements, but also for improving financial viability through supplying affordable electricity and providing a remunerated H 2 sink to offset the testing costs. Due to their lower TRL and requirement for a light source, large-scale photocatalysis and photoelectrochemistry testing are less developed and the requirements are currently less predictable.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonas Bollmann & Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu & Moritz F. Kühnel, 2023. "Challenges of Industrial-Scale Testing Infrastructure for Green Hydrogen Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:8:p:3604-:d:1129732
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hiroshi Nishiyama & Taro Yamada & Mamiko Nakabayashi & Yoshiki Maehara & Masaharu Yamaguchi & Yasuko Kuromiya & Yoshie Nagatsuma & Hiromasa Tokudome & Seiji Akiyama & Tomoaki Watanabe & Ryoichi Narush, 2021. "Photocatalytic solar hydrogen production from water on a 100-m2 scale," Nature, Nature, vol. 598(7880), pages 304-307, October.
    2. Esen, Vedat & Sağlam, Şafak & Oral, Bülent, 2017. "Light sources of solar simulators for photovoltaic devices: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1240-1250.
    3. Kato, Takeyoshi & Kubota, Mitsuhiro & Kobayashi, Noriyuki & Suzuoki, Yasuo, 2005. "Effective utilization of by-product oxygen from electrolysis hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 30(14), pages 2580-2595.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bożena Łosiewicz, 2024. "Technology for Green Hydrogen Production: Desk Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-41, September.
    2. Jimiao Zhang & Jie Li, 2024. "Revolution in Renewables: Integration of Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-26, August.
    3. Jesús Rey & Francisca Segura & José Manuel Andújar, 2023. "Green Hydrogen: Resources Consumption, Technological Maturity, and Regulatory Framework," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-29, August.
    4. Ana-Maria Chirosca & Eugen Rusu & Viorel Minzu, 2024. "Green Hydrogen—Production and Storage Methods: Current Status and Future Directions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-27, November.

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