Electrolysers – the climate-neutral technology of the future
Green hydrogen is becoming increasingly significant in the field of renewable energy. A recent study by the management consultancy Roland Berger, for example, predicts that European demand for hydrogen will be around 45 million tonnes by 2050.
“Electrolysis made in Baden-Württemberg” research project
A research project on the production of green hydrogen was carried out by the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW). Under the title “Electrolysis made in Baden-Württemberg”, the project’s goal was to develop – in collaboration with companies from Baden-Württemberg – alkaline electrolysis for efficient and cost-effective production of green hydrogen.
During the project, various aspects of electrolysis technology were investigated with the aim of increasing both their performance and their economic efficiency. One area of focus was on optimising the electrolysis process for more efficient hydrogen production. By using advanced materials and innovative approaches, the researchers aimed to reduce the energy consumption of the electrolysis cells and increase the durability of the plant technology.
Another important aspect concerned the optimal design of the cooling system. The heat generated during electrolysis must be dissipated in order to guarantee the optimum process temperature and thus greater efficiency. As specialists in the field of industrial refrigeration technology with over 60 years of experience, FrigorTec took on this task. The resulting solution not only reliably overcame the specific challenges of heat generation in the electrolysis process, but was also scalable to different plant sizes – from stationary electrolysis systems to transportable container solutions. In any event, thanks to FrigorTec’s
worldwide sales and service network it is ideally equipped to deploy the new solution worldwide.
After about four years of development work, the project was completed after a long test phase at ZSW. The final result of the project thus makes hydrogen production competitive and positions the participating companies worldwide as competent system suppliers for state-of-the-art electrolysis plants.
Green hydrogen – a versatile energy source
Green hydrogen has a promising future and will be soon used in various sectors to support the transition to cleaner, climate-neutral energy sources. It is expected to play a key role in the following areas:
Energy storage:
Green hydrogen can be used to store surplus renewable energy and release it as needed. This is especially important when it comes to balancing out fluctuations in the energy generated by wind farms and solar power plants. In this context, the comparatively low efficiency of this process – a frequently heard criticism of green hydrogen storage – becomes irrelevant, since without electrolysis all the surplus green electricity would be lost in any case.
Mobility:
Hydrogen is predicted to play a similarly important role in the area of mobility. Unlike battery technology, green hydrogen production does not depend on the extraction of raw materials. With an electrolysis capacity of 1 MW, about 20 kg of hydrogen can be produced per hour – enough to power a car for around 2,000 km. Other advantages include the fact that the existing infrastructure can be used and that refuelling a car with hydrogen only takes around five minutes. The same advantages apply to commercial vehicles.
Industrial processes:
Above all, energy-intensive industries such as fertiliser production, fuel purification and steel production can use green hydrogen as a clean fuel or as a raw material for the production of
chemicals.
Heat and power supply:
Hydrogen can be used in heating and cooling systems to generate carbon-free heat. However, it can also be used in fuel cells to generate electricity as a sustainable energy source for buildings and off-grid regions.
Overall, the future of green hydrogen holds the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and pave the way to a more sustainable energy network. The development of key technologies such as alkaline electrolysis and efficient cooling methods is therefore of great
importance.
FrigorTec is helping to safeguard this process by developing reliable cooling technology for a wide range of process conditions – at home and abroad.
Our products
More know-how articles
Powerful, thorough, quiet: How do air purifiers work?
The filter and fan of an air purifier determine the type and quantity of pollutants it can remove from the room air. Other features such as noise emissions provide information about the locations for which an air filter device is suitable.
Why winter is favourable to coronavirus and weakens the immune system
Many types of viruses thrive in favourable conditions in winter. They can survive for long periods in the dry, cold air, and people spend more time indoors. On the other hand, our immune system weakens due to the dry air and lack of sunshine. This combination makes coronavirus and other pathogens more dangerous in winter than in summer. However, humidifiers and air purifiers can help to keep us healthy throughout the cold months.
Correctly positioned air purifiers complement regular airing
The viral load of indoor air can be significantly reduced by regular airing combined with the use of air purifiers. These also make it possible to remove coronaviruses, fine dusts, and bacteria, even in rooms without windows, and in crane driver cabs. In order to achieve an even distribution of purified air, some rules should be observed when setting up an air filter device.
Why room air hygiene should also be given priority after Corona
The Corona pandemic has abruptly brought home to us how air in indoor spaces is often contaminated and dangerous to health. Air purifiers protect us from viruses, fine dust, mould spores and other airborne contaminants that will continue to affect our health and well-being after the current pandemic has been contained.
Reduce the need for artificial snowmaking with snow cooling units
Artificial snow sysems secure economic viability in many ski regions. At the same time, they attract criticism due to their high water and energy requirements. Snow cooling units offer operators the chance to reduce their artificial snow requirements while saving costs and resources.
HEPA Filters: Using physical tricks to capture particles
HEPA filters are among the most efficient mechanical filters and remove up to 99.995% of contaminants from the air. They rely on the movement characteristics of different small particles to do so. Based on standardised filter classes, inefficient HEPA filters are easily distinguished from HEPA filters that are actually effective.
How air purifiers can contribute to improving health protection
The question of whether or not mobile air purifiers reduce the risk of viral disease and can help to improve health protection can be answered with a ‘yes’. That is what the current study by the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics at Universität der Bundeswehr München has found.
Requirements for water-cooled chillers for use in heavy industry
Due to advances in automation and constant increases in computing power, proper cooling of electrical systems is critical for reliable 24/7 operation. For this purpose, heavy industries can benefit from a coolant that they already use in large quantities – river or brackish water.
Why powerful cooling is essential in battery containers
The share of electricity generated from renewable resources is growing steadily - especially in the European Union. However, since sun and wind are not permanently available, the challenge lies in balancing out the natural fluctuations in electricity output. The remedy is connected batteries with associated cooling.
Arrange a consultation appointment
Our experts will be happy to advise you on the planning and implementation of your projects. Together we will find a perfect customised solution.
Arrange an appointment