© DLR-TT-ECE 2016
Project description
In this joint R&D project supported by the EU Fuel
Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, an
electrochemical in-situ diagnostics tool for the
monitoring of locally resolved current densities in
polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, is adapted
to three different water electrolysis technologies.
The developed tools allow correlating performance
issues and ageing processes with local anomalies.
The corresponding mechanisms are investigated with
ex-situ analytics.
Partners – Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und
Raumfahrt e.V., Stuttgart, Germany (Coordination) –
NEL Hydrogen AS, Notodden, Norway (Alkaline
water electrolysis) – Acta S.p.A., Crespina, Italy
(Anion exchange membrane based water
electrolysis) – Centre National de la Recherche
Scientifique, France (Ex-situ analytics) – Université
de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France (Ex-situ analytics)
– Hochschule Esslingen, Esslingen, Germany (Ex-
situ analytics)
The patented segmented printed circuit board (PCB)
for the monitoring of current density distributions in
PEM based fuel cells is used and continuously
improved at DLR. Applications are e.g. the
investigation of specific degradation mechanisms, or
systematic optimisation of operation parameters. The
embedding of an in-situ diagnostics tool in water
electrolysis system enables: – monitoring of
performance and local anomalies during operation –
revealing systematical deficiencies not detectable
with off-line diagnostics – correlating degradation
mechanisms and system parameters – identifying
and preventing critical operation – systematically
improving the efficiency of water electrolysis
At a Glance
Project Title:
INSIDE
In-situ Diagnostics in Water Electrolyzers
Project reference:
621237
Funded under:
FP7-JTI
Funding scheme:
JTI-CP-FCH - Joint Technology Initiatives -
Collaborative Project (FCH)
Duration:
November 2014 – September 2018
Total Budget (EUR):
3,291,328 €
FCH JU Contribution (EUR):
2,176,624 €
Contact:
Dr. Indro Biswas
German Aerospace Centre (DLR)
Indro.Biswas@dlr.de
European Project
INSIDE
In-situ Diagnostics in Water Electrolysers