EU HARMONISED TEST PROTOCOLS FOR PEMFC MEA TESTING IN SINGLE CELL CONFIGURATION FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS

PEMFC due to their high energy density, low operating temperature and high efficiency are considered to be very suitable for vehicle propulsion. In such applications, fuel cells could encounter operating conditions which are severe to the materials involved. Fuel cell testing shall as close as possible reflect conditions encountered in real life. To enable a fair comparative assessment of the performance of MEA under operating conditions foreseen in future automotive applications, a set of representative operating conditions in addition with a test methodology is proposed. The aim of a unified set of harmonised operating conditions is to comparatively test and evaluate the performance of different MEAs in single cells. The current document is the result of a cumulative effort of industry and research organisations participating in FCH-JU funded projects for automotive applications, in establishing a harmonised test protocol for assessing PEMFC performance and durability at a single cell level. This document presents a set of reference operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, humidification, gas flow and composition at the fuel and oxidant inlet representative for future automotive applications. It also defines boundaries of these conditions within which the cell is expected to operate. While not specifying single cell design details, cell operation in counter flow is mandatory for comparative assessment. A methodology is established to examining the relative influence that the individual operating parameters exert on the MEA performance in single cell configuration once the cell is subjected to the more challenging boundary conditions defined in this document which are also called as stressor conditions. In addition to operating conditions, the most likely stressor conditions for single cell testing could be identified as follows: Load cycling, Mechanical effects, Fuel Air contaminants (impurities), and Environmental Conditions. In this document the focus is on stressors related to Operating Conditions and Load Cycling. Deviations from the automotive reference Operating Conditions may result in changes to both cell performance and durability. In principle the influence of each stressor on cell performance could be studied individually. However, since a number of stressors are inter-linked, (changing the value of one stressor could inevitably change the value of another), the stressor tests have been grouped into four families of Stressors, namely: Cell Temperature Stressor Tests, Reactants Gas Inlet Humidification Stressor Tests, Reactants Gas Inlet Pressure Stressor Tests, Oxidant Stoichiometry Stressor Tests. The aim of these tests is to study the effect of each stressor on the the cell voltage at three different current densities representative of activation, ohmic polarization and mass transfer regimes as a function of each stressor condition. The successful operation of a fuel cell depends not only on its performance but also on its durability. Fuel cell durability is evaluated through endurance testing by applying a repetitive load profile to the cell and measuring performance degradation in terms of cell voltage decrease as function of operating hours. To assess the cell degradation rate a dynamic load cycle for endurance testing is proposed. The Fuel Cell Dynamic Load Cycle is used in this document and is derived from the New European Driving Cycle modified for fuel cell applications. In addition to the definition of representative reference and stressor operating conditions, the document also provides a rationale for their selection. The use of sound science-based, industry-endorsed test methodologies and protocols enables true comparison of MEAs originating from different sources either commercial or developed within different projects. It also enables evaluating the rate of progress achieved towards reaching agreed technology performance targets.JRC.F.2-Energy Conversion and Storage Technologie

EU harmonised testing protocols for high-temperature steam electrolysis

The objective of this document is to present testing protocols for establishing the performance and durability of high-temperature electrolyser (HTE) stacks and high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSEL) systems for the generation of bulk amounts of hydrogen by the electrolysis of steam (water vapour) using electricity mostly from variable renewable energy sources (RESs). In addition, stacks and systems may utilise heat from energy conversion, natural resources (geothermal and solar) and industrial processes. By applying these testing protocols, it will be generally possible to characterise and evaluate the performance and durability of different stacks and systems aiming at an adequate comparison of two HTSEL technologies namely solid oxide steam electrolysis (SOEL) and proton-conducting ceramic steam electrolysis (PCCEL). The test methods contained herein are based on standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). These testing protocols are intended to be used by the research community and industry alike, for example, to evaluate research and development (R&D) progress, set research and innovation (R&I) priorities including cost targets, development milestones and technological benchmarks as well as making informed decisions regarding technology selection in power-to-hydrogen (P2H2) and hydrogen-to-industry (H2I) applications.JRC.C.1 - Battery and Hydrogen Technologie

EU harmonised testing procedure: Determination of water electrolyser energy performance

The objective of this pre-normative research (PNR) document is to present a testing procedure for establishing the energy performance of water (steam) electrolyser systems (WE systems), whether grid-connected or off-grid and individual water electrolysers (WEs)/high-temperature electrolysers (HTEs) for the generation of hydrogen by water/steam electrolysis. The WE systems use electricity mostly from variable renewable energy sources. HTE may additionally utilise (waste) heat from energy conversion and other industrial processes. By applying this procedure, the determination of the specific energy consumption per unit of hydrogen output under standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP) conditions allows for an adequate comparison of different WE systems. The energy efficiency and the electrical efficiency based on higher and lower heating value of hydrogen can be derived from respectively the specific energy consumption and the specific electric energy consumption as additional energy performance indicators (EPIs). In a plant setting, the specific energy consumption of an individual water electrolyser including HTE under hydrogen output conditions may also be determined using this testing procedure. This procedure is intended to be used as a general characterisation method for evaluating the energy performance of WEs including HTEs and systems by the research community and industry alike.JRC.C.1 - Battery and Hydrogen Technologie

EU harmonised accelerated stress testing protocols for low-temperature water electrolyser

This document introduces proposed accelerated stress testing (AST) protocols for assessing the performance degradation of water electrolyser (WE) stacks. These stacks play a crucial role in generating clean hydrogen in bulk amounts through the electrolysis of water, primarily using electricity from renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic arrays and wind turbines. By implementing these protocols, it becomes feasible to assess the performance degradation of various stacks systematically especially following a design of experiment approach. This allows for a thorough comparison of the three main low-temperature water electrolysis technologies: alkaline water electrolysis in an alkaline water electrolyser, anion exchange polymer membrane water electrolysis in an anion exchange polymer membrane water electrolyser, and proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis in a proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyser. It is important to note that this document does not delve into specific techniques for accelerating particular failure modes or enhancing different degradation phenomena at the component and sub-component levels within WE stacks. Instead, it offers broad guidelines for establishing AST procedures for stacks to ensure their reliable operation in water electrolyser systems utilising fluctuating renewable electricity. These protocols are intended for use by both the research community and industry, serving purposes such as research and development (R&D), and stack prototype qualification, assessing R&D progress, setting priorities with cost targets, development milestones, and technological benchmarks, and making informed decisions regarding technology selection.JRC.C.1 - Battery and Hydrogen Technologie

Fuel Cell Testing Protocols: An International Perspective

An overview of international polymer-electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) test procedures is presented. This overview is the first step in the global harmonization of testing methods. Many techniques and procedures determining stack performance and durability are discussed. Each approach has differences that may or may not impact the data and data quality. Through experiments, it was found that differences in the results from two methods for measuring sequential polarization curves are minimal. Answers to questions regarding differences in the aging duty cycles need to be determined experimentally. The results of these experiments are expected to help the harmonization process, to facilitate the understanding of test results, and, possibly, to accelerate the commercialization of PEMFCs.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energ

EU harmonised test procedure: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for water electrolysis cells

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a suitable and powerful diagnostic testing method for PEMWE (polymer electrolyte or proton exchange membrane water electrolysis) cell because it is non-destructive and provides useful information about fuel cell performance and its components. It can principally be used in PEMWE diagnosis including optimization of MEAs (membrane electrode assemblies). The EIS technique measures the frequency dependence of the cell impedance applying a small sinusoidal AC current (or voltage) as a perturbation signal while measuring the voltage (or current) response. EIS can provide useful information on voltage losses in PEMWE. This testing procedure is a general characterization method that is used in research and development of the PEMWE single cells. The test can be used as a baseline measurement for the qualification of a PEMWE and its components.JRC.C.1 - Energy Storag

Energy efficiency of water electrolysers for hydrogen production

This document is a policy brief about the energy efficiency of water electrolysers for the production of hydrogen. It aims at providing policymakers with clarifications about the techno-economic concepts related or influenced by the energy efficiency of electrolysers systems such as the multiple definitions and metrics used by manufacturers, the impact of energy efficiency on the operation of an electrolyser, as well as the influence of efficiency on the levelised cost of hydrogen production. The brief also provides a brief overview of current work towards improving the energy efficiency of electrolysers.JRC.C.1 - Battery and Hydrogen Technologie

Historical Analysis of FCH 2 JU Stationary Fuel Cell Projects

As a part of its knowledge management activities, the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking 2 (FCH 2 JU) has commissioned the Joint Research Centre (JRC) to perform a series of historical analyses by topic area, to assess the impact of funded projects and the progression of its current Multi-Annual Work Plan (MAWP; 2014-2020) towards its objectives. These historical analyses consider all relevant funded projects since the programme’s inception in 2008. This report considers the performance of projects against the overall FCH 2 JU programme targets for stationary Fuel Cells (FCs), using quantitative values of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for assessment. The purpose of this exercise is to see whether and how the programme has enhanced the state of the art for stationary fuel cells and to identify potential Research & Innovation (R&I) gaps for the future. Therefore, the report includes a review of the current State of the Art (SoA) of fuel cell technologies used in the stationary applications sector. The programme has defined KPIs for three different power output ranges and equivalent applications: (i) micro-scale Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) for single family homes and small buildings (0.3 - 5 kW); (ii) mid-sized installations for commercial and larger buildings (5 - 400 kW); (iii) large scale FC installations, converting hydrogen and renewable methane into power in various applications (0.4 - 30 MW). Projects addressing stationary applications in these particular power ranges were identified and values for the achieved KPIs extracted from relevant sources of information such as final reports and the TRUST database (Technology Reporting Using Structured Templates). As much of this data is confidential, a broad analysis of performance of the programme against its KPIs has been performed, without disclosing confidential information. The results of this analysis are summarised within this report. The information obtained from this study will be used to suggest future modifications to the research programme and associated targets.JRC.C.1 - Energy Storag

EU harmonised polarisation curve test method for low-temperature water electrolysis

This report on EU harmonised polarisation curve test method for low-temperature water electrolysis was carried out under the framework contract between the Joint Research Centre and the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking, rolling plan 2017. The polarisation curve test method is the basic method used to characterise low-temperature water electrolysis (WE) single cells and stacks at specified operating conditions (temperature and pressure). The procedure is applicable to polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) single cells and stacks. It provides information on the reaction kinetics, ohmic resistance and mass transport resistance of the cell/stack. This procedure is a general characterisation method that is used in the research and development of low-temperature WE single cells and stacks at specified operating conditions (temperature and pressure). The test can be used as a baseline measurement for the qualification of a WE cell or stack.JRC.C.1 - Energy Storag

EU harmonised cyclic voltammetry test method for low-temperature water electrolysis single cells

This report on “EU Harmonised Cyclic Voltammetry Test Method for Low Temperature Water Electrolysis Single Cells“ was carried out under the Framework Contract between the Joint Research Centre and the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen second Joint Undertaking (FCH2JU), Rolling Plan 2018.JRC.C.1-Energy Storag