Integration of multi-MW electrolysers in industrial applications
HORIZON JU Innovation Actions
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022-01-08
- Programme
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Closed (31094503)
- Opening Date
- March 31, 2022
- Deadline
- September 20, 2022
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €121,000,000
- Min Grant Amount
- €7,000,000
- Max Grant Amount
- €7,000,000
- Expected Number of Grants
- 1
- Keywords
- Technology managementCivil engineeringMechanical engineeringelectrolysermulti-MW electrolysersindustrial applications
Description
This flagship[1] project is expected to pave the way for further large-scale integration of electrolyser systems in industrial applications in the framework of fully commercial operations. The project should demonstrate in an operational industrial environment improved electrolysis technology at a scale of >25MW, configured to provide the necessary reliability of supply at the lowest possible cost of bulk renewable hydrogen to one or more hydrogen users. It will prove the integration of multi-MW state of the art electrolysers into industrial applications, showing decreased costs for both CAPEX and OPEX, increased operational reliability, improved integration both within the industrial process plant and with an associated renewable energy power plant/power purchase agreement (PPA) (as per regulatory requirements) to ensure high reliability. SRIA KPIs for 2024 for the relevant technology should be met.
Moreover, the project shall prove important additional technological advancement compared to the Djewels [2] project, as well as the three projects that have been selected in the context of the Green Deal call on the 100 MW electrolysers [3] under Horizon 2020.
Project results are expected to contribute but are not limited to the following expected outcomes:
- Emphasise innovation aspects that demonstrate how electrolyser technology goes beyond the current state of the art, while ensuring replicability and wide commercial impact following the implementation of the project;
- Demonstrate reliable operation of large-scale electrolysis and the use of the produced hydrogen in an application valorising the renewable character of the produced hydrogen according to final user’s requirements;
- Gain operational experience, including safety and regulatory framework, of the contractual and hardware arrangements required to distribute and supply hydrogen to the specific industrial environment;
- Perform techno-economic analysis of the performance of these systems showcasing the business case of the proposed solution;
- Technically assess the operation of the electrolyser in the industrial environment regarding contractual and hardware arrangements and suggest best practices;
- Evaluate the life cycle environmental performance of the system (including water usage) in alignment with the applicable regulation, defining renewable hydrogen with attention to the CO2 intensity of the hydrogen produced, which should include an understanding of the CO2 footprint impact in the addressed hydrogen end-user markets;
- Identify the value and size of the markets addressed and the possibility of indirectly affecting additional relevant markets;
- Assess the legislative and RCS implications of these systems and any issues identified in obtaining consents to operate the system;
- Make recommendations for policy makers and regulators on measures helping to maximise the value of renewable energy and stimulate the market for renewables-electrolyser systems.
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following objectives of the JU as reflected in the SRIA:
- AEL, Electricity consumption @ nominal capacity (kWh/kg) 49, Capital cost €/(kg/d) 1,000, O&M cost €/(kg/d)/y 43, Degradation (%/1,000h) 0.11, Current density (A/cm2) 0.7, Use of critical raw materials as catalysts (mg/W) 0.3;
- PEMEL, Electricity consumption @ nominal capacity (kWh/kg) 52, Capital cost €/(kg/d) 1,550, O&M cost €/(kg/d)/y 30, Degradation (%/1,000h) 0.15, Current density (A/cm2) 2.4, Use of critical raw materials as catalysts (mg/W) 1.25.
The project should aim at demonstrating electrolyser technologies beyond actual state-of-the-art producing hydrogen reliably under favourable economic conditions and rationale use of water in a specific industrial application to be chosen by the proposers.
The scope of the project is to demonstrate the integration of a large-scale electrolyser of minimum 25 MW. Technical requirements in terms of purity and pressure shall be designed to fulfil the industrial requirements. At least 2 years of operation are expected. Hydrogen production should be >1,500 tonne/yr and the facility should be working more than 3,200 equivalent hours/yr at full load.
Proposal should address innovation aspects that ensure the project goes beyond the state of the art. Examples of innovations could include, but are not limited to:
- Possibly supply hydrogen to two separate users, each with their own operational requirements and managing electrolyser output both in terms of generation and storage in order to maximise the efficiency of the setup;
- Use oxygen and/or waste heat from the electrolyser for other processes at the industrial site, or from the industrial process to the electrolyser in case of SOEL;
- Concepts related to the circular economy (e.g.: water utilisation, re-use of CO2 at the site);
- Provision of grid services that help the economics of the installation;
- Footprint reduction, for example integrating hardware vertically instead of horizontally, or minimising the footprint of the electrolyser with a single balance of plant including all required utilities such as water purification, power rectification with appropriate grid interfaces and hydrogen purification, process cooling, etc;
Given that the topic leaves the possibility open for addressing a broad scope of industrial applications, it will be up to the proposal to clearly specify these innovation aspects and avoid any duplication of previous industrial electrolyser applications. In this regard, proper reference and complementarity to previously funded projects by the FCH JU (e.g. Refhyne, H2Future, Djewels, Multiplhy, MegaSyn) and the Green Deal 100MW electrolyser projects should be included, if applicable;
Proposals should also:
- Satisfy industrial requirements for round-the-clock operation using an otherwise (a priori) intermittent source of primary renewable energy;
- demonstrate the economic benefits/enablers of the project for the selected applications. The consortium should demonstrate/investigate a sustainable long term business case for industrial customers who value the renewable character of the hydrogen. This should include a study on the impact of using renewable hydrogen on the final cost of the product and a market evaluation to understand how much premium the end customers are willing to pay for a renewable product;
- Provide the operating scenarios, the expected annual production, the use(s) foreseen and a detailed business case analysis. The electrolyser and downstream systems should be installed and operated for a minimum period of two years within the duration of the project; assurances for operation thereafter should be provided at the proposal stage;
- Include a plan for use of the installation after the project;
- Disseminate the technical and economic benefits, notably (but not only) to the communities of the relevant Horizon Europe private-public partnerships;
- Describe how learnings will be communicated and dissemination will occur beyond the consortium, including those regions in Europe where large scale electrolysis has not yet been demonstrated;
- Support the development of the EU value chain and competitiveness of EU industry for electrolysers, including main components, cells and stacks.
The power connection costs, building costs and the electricity costs for the commissioning phase are eligible for funding. Electricity costs during demonstration / business operation are not eligible. The results of a techno-economic assessment should be reported after each year of operation, including information on the individual cost and revenue streams related to the electrolyser.
The project shall include a clear go/no-go decision point (milestone) ahead of entering the deployment phase. Before this go/no go decision point, the project shall deliver the following: detailed engineering plans, a complete business and implementation plan and all the required permits for the deployment of the project. The project proposal is expected to clearly demonstrate a proposed pathway to obtaining necessary permits for the demonstration actions and allow for appropriate timelines to achieve these.[4]
This topic is expected to contribute to EU competitiveness and industrial leadership by supporting a European value chain for hydrogen and fuel cell systems and components.
Applicants are encouraged to seek collaboration with existing projects of the Horizon Europe Process4Planet partnership or future topics concerning innovative industrial processes, that could make use of the hydrogen produced by the electrolyser.
Proposals are expected to address sustainability and circularity aspects.
Proposals should provide a preliminary draft on ‘hydrogen safety planning and management’ at the project level, which will be further updated during project implementation.
It is expected that Guarantees of origin (GOs) will be used to prove the renewable character of the hydrogen that is produced. In this respect consortium may seek out the issuance and subsequent cancellation of GOs from the relevant Member State issuing body and if that is not yet available the consortium may proceed with the issuance and cancellation of non-governmental certificates (e.g CertifHy[5]).
Activities developing test protocols and procedures for the performance and durability assessment of electrolysers and fuel cell components proposals should foresee a collaboration mechanism with JRC (see section 2.2.4.3 "Collaboration with JRC"), in order to support EU-wide harmonisation. Test activities should adopt the already published EU harmonised testing protocols to benchmark performance and quantify progress at programme level.
Activities are expected to start at TRL 6 and achieve TRL 8 by the end of the project.
At least one partner in the consortium must be a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research.
The conditions related to this topic are provided in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2022 Annual Work Plan and in the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021–2022 which apply mutatis mutandis.
[1]For definition of flagship see section 5.3. of the Clean Hydrogen JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2021 – 2027
[2]https://www.clean-hydrogen.europa.eu/projects-repository_en
[3]https://cordis.europa.eu/search?q=contenttype%3D%27project%27%20AND%20programme%2Fcode%3D%27LC-GD-2-2-2020%27&p=1&num=10&srt=/project/contentUpdateDate:decreasing
[4]independent experts will assess all deliverables and will give advice on the go/no go decision.
[5]https://www.certifhy.eu/
Eligibility & Conditions
General conditions
1. Admissibility conditions: described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes
The page limit of the application is 70 pages.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System
Additional condition: For all Innovation Actions the page limit of the applications are 70 pages.
2. Eligible countries: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other eligibility conditions: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
Additional eligibility condition: Maximum contribution per topic
For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to limit the Clean Hydrogen JU requested contribution mostly for actions performed at high TRL level, including demonstration in real operation environment and with important involvement from industrial stakeholders and/or end users such as public authorities. Such actions are expected to leverage co-funding as commitment from stakeholders. It is of added value that such leverage is shown through the private investment in these specific topics. Therefore, proposals requesting contributions above the amounts specified per each topic below will not be evaluated:
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-07 - The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 9.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-03 - The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 30.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-05 - The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 15.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -04-01 - The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 7.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -06-01 - The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 25.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -06-02 - The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 8.00 million
Additional eligibility condition: Membership to Hydrogen Europe/Hydrogen Europe Research
For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to ensure that one partner in the consortium is a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research. This concerns topics targeting actions for large-scale demonstrations, flagship projects and strategic research actions, where the industrial and research partners of the Clean Hydrogen JU are considered to play a key role in accelerating the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies by being closely linked to the Clean Hydrogen JU constituency, which could further ensure full alignment with the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the Industry and the SRIA188 of the JU. This approach shall also ensure the continuity of the work performed within projects funded through the H2020 and FP7, by building up on their experience and consolidating the EU value-chain. This applies to the following topics:
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-07
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-08
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-10
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -02-08
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-03
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-05
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -04-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -06-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -06-02
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -07-01
Additional eligibility condition: Participation of African countries
For one topic the following additional eligibility criteria have been introduced to allow African countries to i) participate in proposal, ii) be eligible for funding and iii) ensure a sufficient geographical coverage of the African continent. This concerns the following topic:
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -05-5
Manufacturing Readiness Assessment
For some topics a definition of Manufacturing Readiness Level has been introduced in the Annexes of the Annual Work Programme. This is necessary to evaluate the status of the overall manufacturing activities included in the following topics:
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-04
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -04-01
The following additional eligibility criteria apply: At least one partner in the consortium must be a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes
5. Evaluation and award:
- Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes
- Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual
Exemption to evaluation procedure: complementarity of projects
For some topics in order to ensure a balanced portfolio covering complementary approaches, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to one additional project that is / are complementary, provided that the applications attain all thresholds
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-03
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-04
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-09
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -02-10
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-02
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-04
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -04-04
Seal of Excellence
For two topics the ‘Seal of Excellence’ will be awarded to applications exceeding all of the evaluation thresholds set out in this Annual Work Programme but cannot be funded due to lack of budget available to the call. This will further improve the chances of good proposals, otherwise not selected, to find alternative funding in other Union programmes, including those managed by national or regional Managing Authorities. With prior authorisation from the applicant, the Clean Hydrogen JU may share information concerning the proposal and the evaluation with interested financing authorities, subject to the conclusion of confidentiality agreements. In this Annual Work Programme ‘Seal of Excellence’ will be piloted for topics:
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -06-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -06-02
- Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes
In addition to the standard provisions, the following specific provisions in the model grant agreement will apply:
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), background and results, access rights and rights of use (article 16 and Annex 5 of the Model Grant Agreement (MGA)).
- An additional information obligation has been introduced for topics including standardisation activities: ‘Beneficiaries must, up to 4 years after the end of the action, inform the granting authority if the results could reasonably be expected to contribute to European or international standards’. These concerns the topics below:
Additional information obligation for topics including standardisation activities
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -02-09
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-04
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -05-02
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -05-03
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -05-04
- For all topics in this Work Programme Clean Hydrogen JU shall have the right to object to transfers of ownership of results, or to grants of an exclusive licence regarding results, if: (a) the beneficiaries which generated the results have received Union funding; (b) the transfer or licensing is to a legal entity established in a non-associated third country; and (c) the transfer or licensing is not in line with Union interests. The grant agreement shall contain a provision in this respect.
Full capitalised costs for purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action
For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, mostly large-scale demonstrators or flagship projects specific equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action (or developed as part of the action tasks) can exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs. This concerns the topics below:
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-07: electrolyser and other hydrogen related equipment essential for implementation of the project, (e.g. compression of hydrogen, storage and any essential end-use technology)
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-08: electrolyser, its BoP and any other hydrogen related equipment essential for the implementation of the project (e.g. hydrogen storage)
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -01-10: electrolyser, its BOP and any other hydrogen related equipment essential for implementation of the project (e.g. offshore infrastructure, renewable electricity supply infrastructure, storages, pipelines and other auxiliaries required to convey and utilise the hydrogen)
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -02-08: compression prototype/s and related components
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-03: trucks, fuel cell system, on-board hydrogen storage and other components needed in a hydrogen truck
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -03-05: vessels, fuel cell system, on-board hydrogen storage and other components needed in a hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen vessel
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -04-01: manufacturing equipment and tooling
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -06-01: hydrogen production plant, distribution and storage infrastructure and hydrogen end-uses
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022 -06-02: hydrogen production plant, distribution and storage infrastructure and hydrogen end-uses
Purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets used for the action must be declared as depreciation costs. However, for the following equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action (or developed as part of the action tasks): electrolyser, its BoP and any other hydrogen related equipment essential for the implementation of the project (e.g. hydrogen storage) costs, may exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs.
Specific conditions
7. Specific conditions: described in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2022 Annual Work Plan
Documents
CALL UPDATE: FLASH CALL INFO
Call documents:
Application form — As well available in the Submission System from March 31st 2022
- Application form - Part B (HE CleanH2 RIA, IA)
- Application form - Part B (HE CleanH2 CSA)
Evaluation forms
- Evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Model Grant Agreement (MGA)
Clean Hydrogen JU - Annual Work Programme 2022 (AWP 2022)
- AWP 2022
Clean Hydrogen JU - Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2021–2022 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2021–2022 – 13. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Support & Resources
Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.
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Latest Updates
In topic ‘HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2022-01-08: Integration of multi-MW electrolysers in industrial applications’, in line with the AWP 2022 on page 68, section ‘Expected Outcomes’,
the text :
“SRIA KPIs for 2024 for the relevant technology should be met. […] Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following objectives of the JU as reflected in the SRIA:
• AEL, Electricity consumption @ nominal capacity (kWh/kg) 49, Capital cost €/(kg/d) 1,000, O&M cost €/(kg/d)/y 43, Degradation (%/1,000h) 0.11, Current density (A/cm2) 0.7, Use of critical raw materials as catalysts (mg/W) 0.3;
• PEMEL, Electricity consumption @ nominal capacity (kWh/kg) 52, Capital cost €/(kg/d) 1,550, O&M cost €/(kg/d)/y 30, Degradation (%/1,000h) 0.15, Current density (A/cm2) 2.4, Use of critical raw materials as catalysts (mg/W) 1.25.”
shall read:
“SRIA KPIs for 2024 for the relevant technology should be met. […] Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following objectives of the JU as reflected in the SRIA:
• AEL, Electricity consumption @ nominal capacity (kWh/kg) 49, Capital cost €/(kg/d) 1,000, O&M cost €/(kg/d)/y 43, Degradation (%/1,000h) 0.11, Current density (A/cm2) 0.7, Use of critical raw materials as catalysts (mg/W) 0.3;
• PEMEL, Electricity consumption @ nominal capacity (kWh/kg) 52, Capital cost €/(kg/d) 1,550, O&M cost €/(kg/d)/y 30, Degradation (%/1,000h) 0.15, Current density (A/cm2) 2.4, Use of critical raw materials as catalysts (mg/W) 1.25.
• SOEL, Electricity consumption @ nominal capacity (kWh/kg) 39, Heat demand @ nominal capacity (kWh/kg) 9, Capital cost €/(kg/d) 2,000, O&M cost €/(kg/d)/y 130, Degradation (%/1,000h) 1, Current density (A/cm2) 0.85 .”