NEWS

All the updates on the SWITCH project and R&D activities.

New scientific paper published in the EDP Science Journal

SWITCH’s researchers Michele Bolognese, Matteo Testi, Lorenzo De Bortoli, Ruben Bartali and Luigi Crema of the Centre for Sustainable Energy of Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Italy) published the article “Experimental validation of a dynamic modelling of a Reversible Solid Oxide Cells (rSOCs)”.
The work is the result of the participation of the researcher in the EFC21 – European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Piero Lunghi Conference.

Abstract:
The integration of Hydrogen technologies in different end-uses such as transport, electric microgrids, residential and industrial applications, will increase exponentially soon. Hydrogen as energy carrier allows more favourable energy conversion than other conventional systems and is crucial in worldwide decarbonize end uses. The production of green hydrogen, using RES, is a key area for the evolution of this technology. In this context, SWITCH is a Horizon 2020 European Project that aims to design, build and test an in-situ fully integrated and continuous multisource hydrogen production system, based on solid oxide cell technology. Reversible Solid Oxide Cell (rSOCs) technologies allow to convert renewable energy as hydrogen in the power-to-gas application (P2G) and in reversible mode is able to produce electricity from hydrogen stored, power-to-power application (P2P). rSOCs are really interesting to stabilize the random nature of RES because a combined electrolysis and fuel cell system should be able to switch between the two modes as quickly as possible in order to optimize the integration and the use of RES. However, rSOCs need a complex BoP from the thermal point of view, able to guarantee high efficiency even at partial load mode as well as easy start-up and shutdown procedures. In this work, a Stack Box Module dynamic model was developed in Modelica environment as a dynamic tool for the definition and optimization of BoP requirements. Stack model was validated in SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) and SOE (Solid Oxide Electrolyser). The results of the simulation provide verification of the technical/thermodynamic behaviour and flexibility of a stack box of 70 cells. Dynamic modelling allows to evaluate the effect of the reagent inlet temperatures on the operation and hydrogen production/consumption in terms of yield as well as the transients between the different operative modes. Model has been validated by experimental measurements performed in the laboratory. In particular, the kinetics of the reactions governing steam methane reforming (SMR) was considered from data found in the literature, while the ASR (Area Specific Resistance) value was calibrated according to experimental data. The results of the dynamic model show as model can be a useful design and optimization tool for the SOCs technology.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202233401003

The article is available in Open access at this link: https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/abs/2022/01/e3sconf_efc2022_01003/e3sconf_efc2022_01003.html

SWITCH at the European Hydrogen Week!

The European Hydrogen Week is the biggest annual event dedicated to hydrogen with a series of great events all around hydrogen.

The third edition of the event took place in Brussels, from 24 to 28 October 2022, included an agenda rich of events, activities and panels. 

Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) attended the event and was present at the Exhibition, an important occasion to give visibility and showcase SWITCH project results!

SWITCH PRESENTS RESULTS AT FCH JU PROGRAMME REVIEW 2021

What is the state of the art of R&D on Electrolysers for Clean Hydrogen production in Europe? Luigi Crema presented the development activities of the SWITCH Project at the Programme Review Days 2021 organized by Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU).

The project goals is to design, construct and test a novel system prototype for “mostly green, always secured” hydrogen production for hydrogen refueling stations. The final SWITCH prototype comprising two Solid Oxide Large Stack Modules (LSM) will be a 50kW (SOFC)/150kW(SOE) system producing up to 100 kg/day of hydrogen. The prototype will be operated in a relevant industrial environment for at least 5000 hours until full validation.

Stay tuned to know more on the testing activities.

LSM testing at DLR shows very good performances

In May 2021, the Large Stack Module (LSM) of the SWITCH prototype has been tested at DLR Stuttgart TT. The stationary testing has demonstrated successfully more than 53 kg/day with an efficiency of 95.6 %-LHV of hydrogen production using a high temperature steam electrolysis reactor from SOLIDPower. Promising steam conversions of up to 90 % were achieved. 

Dynamic testing will be performed in the coming weeks. More details will be published on the performance of the LSM in the “switching” phases between SOE and SOFC modes.

Matteo Testi receives young scientist award

Our Researcher Matteo Testi from FBK – Italy has been awarded the “Young Scientist” Prize at the European Hydrogen Week 2020. Testi has been awarded for his research in the field of hydrogen mobility and transport.

In the SWITCH project, Testi is working on the control strategy of the system. 

Discover more on Testi’s research on his LinkedIn profile

 

This project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (now Clean Hydrogen Partnership) under Grant Agreement No 875148. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research

EN V Co-funded by_POS

Project Coordinator

Luigi Crema
Fondazione Bruno Kessler – FBK

Chief Engineer

Ilaria Mirabelli
HyGEAR B.V. (HYG)

Knowledge Manager

Ilaria Alberti

Fondazione Bruno Kessler – FBK

Fondazione Bruno Kessler – content production and content management