Applications & Pathways

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) currently have the challenge of high CAPEX mainly associated to the fuel cell. This study investigates strategies to promote FCEV deployment and overcome this initial high cost by combining a detailed simulation model of the passenger transport sector with an energy system model. The focus is on an energy system with 95% CO2 reduction by 2050. Soft-linking by taking the powertrain shares by country from the simul Read More

This article presents a power to SNG (synthetic natural gas) system that converts hydrogen into SNG via a methanation process. In our analysis detailed models for all the elements of the system are built. We assume a direct connection between a wind farm and a hydrogen generator. For the purposes of our calculations we also assume that the hydrogen generator is powered by the renewable source over a nine-hour period per day (between 21:00 an Read More

The transition to a more sustainable personal transportation sector requires the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. However a dominant design has not yet emerged and a standards battle is being fought between battery and hydrogen fuel cell powered electric vehicles. The aim of this paper is to analyze which factors are most likely to influence the outcome of this battle thereby reducing the uncertainty in the industry regarding investment decisio Read More

In the past material innovation has changed society through new material-induced technologies adding a new value to society. In the present world engineers and scientists are expected to invent new materials to solve the global problem of climate change. For the transport sector the challenge for material engineers is to change the oil-based world into a sustainable world. After witnessing the recent high oil price and its adverse impact on the global Read More

The energy transition – which represents the efforts undertaken and results achieved on renewable energy expansion and energy efficiency – is our basis for a clean secure and affordable energy supply which is essential for all our lives. By adopting the 2030 Climate Action Plan the Federal Government has paved the way for meeting its climate targets for 2030. Its long-term goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in line with the targets agreed under the Paris A Read More

The hydrogen vector stands as a potentially important tool to achieve the decarbonization of the energy sector. It represents an option to store the periodic excesses of energy generation from renewable electrical sources to be used as it is as a substitute for fossil fuels in some applications or reconverted into electricity when needed. In this context hydrogen can significantly decarbonize the building sector as an alternative fuel for gas-driven devices. Al Read More

The percentage of the population in urban areas has increased by ten points from 2000 (46%) to 2020 (56%); it is expected to reach up to 70% by 2050. This undoubtedly will encourage society to use alternative transports. On the other hand the widespread fear of pandemics seems to be here to stay and it is causing most people to leave public transport to use private cars and a few have chosen unipersonal electric vehicles. As a consequence the decis Read More

We combine previously separate models of Northern European power markets local district heating and cooling (DHC2) systems and biomass supply in a single modelling framework to study local and system level impacts of bioenergy technologies in phasing out fossil fuels from a DHC system of the Finnish capital. We model multiple future scenarios and assess the impacts on energy security flexibility provision economic performance and emissions. I Read More

The realm of alkaline-based fuel cells has with the arrival of anionic exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) taken a great step to replace traditional liquid electrolyte alkaline fuel cells (AFCs). The following review summarises progress bottleneck issues and highlights the most recent research trends within the field. The activity of alkaline catalyst materials has greatly advanced however achieving long-term stability remains a challenge. Great AEMFC perf Read More

E4tech’s 6th annual review of the global fuel cell industry is now available here. Using primary data straight from the main players and free to download it quantifies shipments by fuel cell type by application and by region of deployment and summarises industry developments over the year.2019 saw shipments globally grow significantly to 1.1 GW. Numbers grew slightly to around 70000 units. The growth in capacity came mainly from cars Hyundai with its Read More