Descrizione del progetto
Una cella a combustibile flessibile, reversibile, a ossido solido che genera sia elettricità che idrogeno
Le celle a combustibile a ossido solido (SOFC, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells) rappresentano un’alternativa efficiente ed ecologica alla conversione dell’elettricità variabile da fonti rinnovabili in idrogeno verde. Sono anche in grado di funzionare all’inverso, fornendo energia come una cella a combustibile a idrogeno. Il progetto SWITCH, finanziato dall’UE, mira a sviluppare la tecnologia delle celle a combustibile per una produzione ecologica e sicura di idrogeno, calore ed energia. Il nucleo del sistema sarà costituito da tre elementi: un modulo di ossido solido reversibile basato su elettroliti anodici; un’unità di trattamento del combustibile in grado di gestire la generazione di vapore e le reazioni di reforming del metano ad alta efficienza; e un’unità di purificazione per garantire idrogeno altamente puro in conformità con i principali standard automobilistici. L’obiettivo è quello di presentare un sistema SOFC da 25 kilowatt operativo in ambiente industriale per 5 000 ore.
Obiettivo
Solid Oxide Cells are efficient ways to convert variable electricity from renewables in green hydrogen. At the same time, they can be used in a reversible mode to enable the use of other sources (e.g. methane, bio-methane) to match a variable energy production with continuous and guaranteed production of hydrogen for contracted end uses. Switch will focus on the development of this specific solution and realize a mostly green and always secured production of hydrogen, heat and power. Core of the system is a reversible Solid Oxide module based on anode supported electrolyte, supported by an advanced fuel processing unit able to manage steam generation and methane reforming reactions at high efficiency and a purification unit to guarantee highly pure hydrogen in compliance with the main industrial and automotive standards. SWITCH project focuses on the demonstration of a 25kW (SOFC)/75kW (SOEC) system operating in a relevant industrial environment for at least 5000 hrs. Part of the activities will be focused on the issue of cost competitiveness and environmental impact, with the target of the hydrogen price lower than 5 €/kg. The basic solution will be designed to be up scalable to bigger sizes and thus reaching target applications in other different sectors such as industrial, residential and grid services. The modularity, low transient times, an integrated gas treatment unit and different modules combined in between SOFC and SOE mode will set a solution able to modulate between different sources and a flexible production of hydrogen, heat and power, with specific use cases considered.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
- H2020-EU.3.3. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.3.8.2. - Increase the energy efficiency of production of hydrogen mainly from water electrolysis and renewable sources while reducing operating and capital costs, so that the combined system of the hydrogen production and the conversion using the fuel cell system can compete with the alternatives for electricity production available on the market
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
IA - Innovation actionCoordinatore
38122 Trento
Italia