Advanced anion exchange membrane electrolysers for low-cost hydrogen production for high power range applications
HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-02
- Programme
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Closed (31094503)
- Opening Date
- January 18, 2024
- Deadline
- April 17, 2024
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €145,000,000
- Min Grant Amount
- €6,000,000
- Max Grant Amount
- €6,000,000
- Expected Number of Grants
- 1
- Keywords
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-02HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024Hydrogen
Description
Anion Exchange Membrane-water electrolyser (AEMEL) is a promising technology as it has the advantage of reducing hydrogen production costs and fulfilling the requirements of limited resources. In comparison to low-temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMEL) there is no need for electrocatalysts comprising platinum-group elements. AEMEL are typically fed with alkaline water, limiting the selection of materials for the various components; however, the production of stable materials, the development of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free membranes and suitable electrocatalysts can be ramped up more easily to satisfy demand than for PEMEL electrocatalysts-materials.
Currently, Europe is leading research and development for AEMELs. As such, it is of crucial importance to maintain this lead and develop new AEMEL stacks enabling the production of pressurised hydrogen. It can be expected to produce hydrogen at 50 bar with future AEMEL stacks at an overall input current density of >1.5 A/cm², with reduced alkaline concentration of <1 mol/L and 0 mg/W of critical raw materials as catalysts as stated in the targets for 2030 in the SRIA of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. The electricity consumption should not exceed 48 kWh/kg(H2) by 2030 while the capital costs should be as low as 300 €/kW and 600 €/(kg/d) by 2030.
The project should build on the outcomes of previous findings on previous and ongoing EU projects (ANIONE, NEWELY, CHANNEL, HERAQCLES and HYScale).
Project results are also expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Strengthening the European leadership in anion exchange membrane water electrolyser;
- (AEMEL) development, manufacturing and deployment for pressurised hydrogen production;
- Novel short-stack layouts with high power for pressurised AEMEL by 2027 and development of manufacturing processes to produce electrolysers for the upcoming demand;
- Development and implementation in developed stack of next-generation AEMEL materials (Anion exchange membranes, ionomers, electrocatalysts, bipolar plates, porous transport layers, etc.) to achieve higher stability, efficiency and recyclability;
- Increased membrane stability and decreased gas crossover.
Project results are expected to contribute to the following objectives of the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA:
- Reducing electrolyser CAPEX and OPEX and thus the cost per kg H2, especially by reducing the amount of Critical Raw Materials (0 mg/W; e.g. Co, Ir, Pt) use as electrocatalyst;
- Increasing current density and durability for AEMEL and decreasing footprint;
- Proof of the technology with long test(s) (3,000 h);
- Business model for the scale-up and industrialisation.
Project results are expected to contribute to the following objectives and KPIs for AEMEL of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership SRIA:
- Electricity consumption @ nominal capacity: 48 kWh/kg (2030);
- Capital cost: 600 €/(kg/d) (2030);
- Degradation: below 0.5 %/1,000h (2030);
- Current density: 1.5 A/cm2 (2030);
- Use of critical raw materials as catalyst: 0.0 mg/W (2030).
The scope of this topic is to develop the next generation of anion exchange membrane electrolyser stack layout delivering hydrogen at a pressure suitable for industrial end-uses.
It is expected that electrocatalysts will be highly active, with a low-loading of critical raw materials < 0.1 mg/W and used to demonstrate operation at current densities > 1.0 A/cm² at cell potentials below 1.8 V, with alkaline concentrations of <1 mol/l and an electricity consumption below 50 kWh/kg. The temperature at which the applied membrane material properly functions is expected to be lower than 90 ⁰C. To achieve the targets, all components have to be optimised in terms of pressure, chemical and corrosion stability as well as their performance and durability. In particular, new AEMs, low-loading of critical raw materials electrocatalysts and porous transport layer (PTL) structures should be developed, and their implementation in catalyst coated substrate (CCS), catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) is expected to be studied.
Targeted prototype scale and cell size should be appropriate for targeted applications and future scale-up. The proposal should target at the end of the project the construction of a stack of minimum 50 kWel with an active area of at least 500 cm² and designed to operate at >50 bars of output pressure. The short stack should exhibit a minimum operation performance of current densities > 1.0 A/cm² at cell potentials below 1.8 V with alkaline concentrations of <1 mol/l. Under these, conditions degradation rates of <0.7 %/1000 h should be demonstrated for a period of at least >3,000 h with the designed stack layout under the stated parameters.
Studies on possible corrosion effects and on degradation mechanism of AEM, anode and cathode electrocatalysts and PTLs should be conducted through EU harmonised testing protocols in order to be able to further predict their lifetime and identify degradation effects.
Proposals are expected to address sustainability, circularity and recycling aspects when choosing AEMs, catalysts, PTL and cell-materials, including bipolar plates. Proposals are expected to perform complete techno-economic and life cycle assessments.
Proposals should show how the developed concepts should be applied in a laboratory setting at a first step, and in a second step how they should be optimised considering the important relevant design and operating parameters (TRL5).
For 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.
For additional elements applicable to all topics please refer to section 2.2.3.2.
Activities are expected to start at TRL 3 and achieve TRL 5 by the end of the project - see General Annex B.
The JU estimates that an EU contribution of maximum EUR 4.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
The conditions related to this topic are provided in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2024 Annual Work Plan and in the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023–2024 which apply mutatis mutandis
Eligibility & Conditions
General conditions
General conditions
1. Admissibility conditions: described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Page limit for Innovation Actions
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 operational 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-CLEANH2-2024-01-05: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 10.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-03: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-04: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-05: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 8.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-04-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 5.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 20.00 million
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-02: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 9.00 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 SRIA 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. In the Call 2024 this applies to the demonstration of innovative hydrogen production for energy intensive industries and the chemical sectors, demonstration of innovative technologies for the distribution of hydrogen including multi-purpose hydrogen refueling infrastructure, demonstration of hydrogen-powered inland shipping or short sea shipping solutions. This will also apply to the two Hydrogen Valley topics as they are considered of strategic importance for the European Union ambitions to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys by 2025. For these flagship topics large amount of co-investment/co-funding of project participants/beneficiaries including national and regional programmes is expected. This applies to the following topics:
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-05
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-03
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-04
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-05
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-04-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-02
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes
-
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
Seal of Excellence:
For the two topics in the Call 2024 addressing Hydrogen Valleys, 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 applicants, the Clean Hydrogen JU may share information concerning the proposal and the evaluation with interested financing authorities. In this Annual Work Programme ‘Seal of Excellence’ will be awarded for the following topic(s):
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-02
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Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
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:
1. Lump Sum
This year’s call for proposals will take the form of lump sums as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021- 2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). Lump sums will be used across all topics in the Call 2024.
2. 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-CLEANH2-2024-01-05
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-03
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-04
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-05
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-04-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-02
3. Subcontracting
For all topics: an additional obligation regarding subcontracting has been introduced, namely that subcontracted work may only be performed in target countries set out in the call conditions.
The beneficiaries must ensure that the subcontracted work is performed in the countries set out in the call conditions.
The target countries are all Member States of the European Union and all Associated Countries.
Specific conditions
7. Specific conditions: described in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2024 Annual Work Programme
Documents
Call documents:
Application form
- Application form - Part B (HE CleanH2 JU RIA, IA)
- Application form - Part B (HE CleanH2 JU CSA)
Evaluation form
- Evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Model Grant Agreement (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
- Detailed budget table (HE LS)
Clean Hydrogen JU - Annual Work Programme 2024 (AWP 2024)
- AWP 2024
Clean Hydrogen JU - Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)
Lump Sums Guidance
- Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
- Comprehensive information on lump sum funding in Horizon Europe
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 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.
Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.
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IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.
European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.
Partner Search Services help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.
Specific FAQ document from call HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024
Latest Updates
CALL UPDATE:
An overview of the evaluation results for the call HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024 is now available. More information can be found in this document: FLASH EVALUATION RESULTS
CALL UPDATE: PROPOSAL NUMBERS
Call HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024 has closed on the 17/04/2024.
151 proposals have been submitted.
The breakdown per topic is:
RENEWABLE HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-01: 9 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-02: 12 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-03: 23 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-04: 10 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-01-05: 3 proposals
HYDROGEN STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-01: 2 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-02: 6 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-03: 2 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-04: 1 proposal
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-02-05: 2 proposals
HYDROGEN END USES: TRANSPORT APPLICATIONS
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-01: 3 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-02: 3 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-03: 10 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04: 2 proposals
HYDROGEN END USES: CLEAN HEAT AND POWER
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-04-01: 10 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-04-02: 8 proposals
CROSS-CUTTING
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-05-01: 6 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-05-02: 10 proposals
HYDROGEN VALLEYS
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-01: 12 proposals
- HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-06-02: 17 proposals
Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in end of July – beginning August 2024
The correct text for topic HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04 is available in the Work Programme 2024 and stipulates:
- Topic description: “Activities are expected to start at TRL 5 and achieve TRL 7 by the end of the project - see General Annex B”
- Topic conditions “HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024-03-04: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million”
In section "Get support" the Specific FAQ document from call HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024 has been updated
In section "Get support" the Specific FAQ document from call HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024 has been updated
The excel detailed budget table available in the submission system “Download Part B templates” section had incorrect funding rate options of 60% and 100%.
Today, the issue has been rectified and the excel detailed budget table is now displaying the correct funding rate options of 70% and 100%.
Please make sure you download and use the correct budget table in your submission.
In section "Get support" the Specific FAQ document from call HORIZON-JTI-CLEANH2-2024 has been updated