In a significant advancement for renewable energy, researchers from the Fondazione Bruno Kessler Sustainable Energy Center in Italy have unveiled promising results from the EU project PROMETEO, which focuses on integrating solid oxide electrolysis systems with concentrated solar power plants. This innovative approach aims to enhance hydrogen production while addressing the intermittent nature of renewable electricity sources.
The project centers on a 25 kW solid oxide electrolysis system that utilizes thermal energy storage to operate effectively even when direct solar energy is not available. Lead author Elena Crespi highlights the importance of this integration, stating, “Our research demonstrates that by effectively managing the operation of electrolysis systems, we can significantly increase hydrogen production, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels.”
Key findings from their testing campaign reveal that maintaining the electrolysis stack at high temperatures—specifically 750°C—can prevent degradation and ensure efficient operation. The researchers discovered that feeding a reducing gas at the negative electrode while supplying air at the positive electrode during hot standby tests effectively preserves the system’s integrity. In contrast, employing an electric protection strategy led to considerable performance drops, illustrating the critical nature of operational strategies in maintaining efficiency.
The research also delves into how modulation of hydrogen generation can be optimized. With lower steam flow rates, hydrogen production is primarily influenced by the steam flow itself, whereas at higher flow rates, the stack temperature plays a decisive role. This nuanced understanding of operational dynamics is essential for developing effective control strategies, which Crespi notes, “will pave the way for more reliable hydrogen production systems that can adapt to varying energy supply conditions.”
As the energy sector increasingly shifts towards sustainable practices, the implications of this research are profound. By refining the control strategies for solid oxide electrolysis systems, the PROMETEO project is poised to contribute significantly to the hydrogen economy, potentially lowering costs and increasing the reliability of hydrogen as a clean energy source. This could accelerate the transition to a decarbonized energy landscape, where hydrogen plays a central role in powering industries and transportation.
The findings were published in the journal ‘IET Renewable Power Generation’, a platform dedicated to advancing knowledge in renewable energy technologies. For more information about the research and its implications, you can visit Fondazione Bruno Kessler Sustainable Energy Center.
