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Tasks

Our Tasks

Duration:
2019
-
2025

30. Electrolysis

To assist, through international co-operation, the development of electrolysis technologies, and how these can best be deployed in energy systems.

Task 30 focuses on advancing the electrochemical production of hydrogen through water electrolysis, a crucial technology for future energy systems. This collaborative initiative addresses three electrolysis techniques: alkaline, acidic PEM, and high-temperature electrolysis (SOEC). Experts from around the world converge to enhance the commercial viability of these technologies through research, development, and information sharing.

  1. Enhance Commercial Viability: Improve the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of alkaline, PEM, and SOEC electrolysis technologies to accelerate their adoption in renewable energy systems.
  2. Technology Development: Drive innovation in electrolysis technology, focusing on electrode design, stack optimization, materials development, and system integration.
  3. Address Key Challenges: Tackle technical hurdles such as low power densities, high manufacturing costs, and inadequate stability to unlock the full potential of electrolysis for renewable hydrogen production.
  4. Information Sharing: Facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among experts worldwide through workshops and conferences, fostering a deeper understanding of electrolysis advancements and challenges.

September 18, 2023 - 15th Task 30 Electrolysis Workshop

April 24, 2023 - 14th Task 30 Electrolysis Workshop

Participation List
Duration:
2019
-
2025

31. Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

To reduce the cost and improve the performance of PEFCs, DMFCs and corresponding fuel cell systems.

Task 31 is a research and development initiative aimed at enhancing the cost-effectiveness, performance, and durability of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) and direct fuel polymer electrolyte fuel cells (DF-PEFC), along with their corresponding systems. These fuel cell technologies find applications in various sectors, including automotive, portable power, stationary power, and combined heat-and-power (CHP).

  1. Advance Materials Development: Contribute to the advancement of durable, cost-effective materials for PEFCs, including polymer electrolyte membranes, electrode catalysts, catalyst supports, membrane-electrode assemblies, bipolar plates, and other stack components, aiming to enhance overall performance and reduce costs.
  2. System Optimization: Address stack, system, and balance-of-plant challenges in PEFC systems through systems analysis, hardware design, prototyping, modeling, and engineering. Additionally, focus on testing, characterization, and standardization of procedures to evaluate end-user aspects such as durability, water and heat management, operating environments, and freeze-thaw cycles.
  3. Direct Fuel Cell Development: Research and develop DF-PEFC technology, including direct methanol, ethanol, and borohydride fuel cells. This involves material development, performance optimization under various operating conditions, stack and system design, and investigation of fuel-specific issues, with the aim of advancing the practical applications of these direct-fuel polymer electrolyte fuel cell systems.

September 23, 2024 - Task Meeting 31 La Grande Motte

September 18, 2023 - Task Meeting 31 Darmstadt

Participation List
Duration:
2019
-
2025

32. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

To assist, through international co-operation, the development of SOFC technologies.

Task 32 focuses on advancing solid oxide cells (SOCs) to enable efficient storage of renewable electricity and decentralized heat and power production. These versatile cells offer high efficiency, flexibility in fuel usage, and low emissions, making them suitable for various applications across different sectors and geographic conditions.

  1. Enhance Technology Efficiency: Improve the cost-effectiveness, performance, and durability of SOCs to enable their widespread adoption for decentralized energy production, integrating renewable sources and reducing CO2 emissions.
  2. Drive Innovation in SOFC Mode: Innovate in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, focusing on stack and system optimization, materials development, and durability improvements to enable applications ranging from mobile auxiliary power units to large-scale stationary power production.
  3. Foster Progress in SOEC Mode: Advance solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology for efficient, large-scale renewable energy storage and hydrogen production, focusing on cost reduction, long-term reliability, and versatility in applications such as renewable energy storage and industrial feedstock production.
  4. Facilitate International Collaboration: romote knowledge exchange and collaboration among partner countries through annual workshops and conferences, accelerating the development and commercialization of SOC technology by addressing common challenges and sharing best practices.

July 1, 2024 - Task meeting 32 Lucerne

May 28, 2023 - Task Meeting 32 Boston

Duration:
2019
-
2025

33. Fuel Cells for Stationary Applications

To understand better how stationary fuel cell systems may be deployed in energy systems.

Task 33 explores the deployment of stationary fuel cell systems in energy systems, focusing on market requirements, opportunities, and obstacles. It investigates various applications, including grid-connected and stand-alone setups, to identify niche and broader markets where fuel cells offer advantages over existing technologies.

  1. Market Investigation: Analyze untapped markets for residential stationary fuel cells, assessing economic and environmental viability across different countries and energy frameworks to identify opportunities for market expansion.
  2. Regulatory Impact Assessment: Investigate the implications of new directives and regulations on stationary fuel cell deployment, aiming to enhance fuel cell competitiveness by providing informed input to regulatory processes and developing recommendations.
  3. Technology and Market Analysis: Study the development of large fuel cell plants for sensitive applications such as hospitals and supermarkets, examining user cases across IEA Member countries and beyond to identify trends and best practices for deployment.

April 8, 2024 - Task Meeting 33 Vancouver

March 13, 2024 - Task Meeting 33 Tokyo

Participation List
Duration:
2019
-
2025

34. Fuel Cells for Transportation

To understand better how fuel cells may be deployed in transportation applications.

Task 34 serves as a platform for exchanging non-proprietary information on automotive fuel cell technology development. It aims to enhance understanding of fuel cell systems, hydrogen storage, cost reduction strategies, and large-scale demonstration projects in the transportation sector.

  1. Fuel Cell System Advancement: Improve understanding of fuel cell stack components and balance-of-plant systems for various transportation applications, focusing on performance, durability, and integration into vehicles.
  2. Fuel Infrastructure Evaluation: Assess the infrastructure for hydrogen production from renewable and non-renewable sources, including well-to-wheel studies on process efficiencies and emissions during hydrogen production.
  3. Technology Validation: Validate fuel cell technology through laboratory tests and field demonstrations on passenger vehicles and fleet buses, analyzing performance, reliability, and cost to identify potential improvements.

No Events found.

Duration:
2019
-
2025

37. Modelling of Fuel Cells Systems

To further develop the open source modelling approaches and knowledge base to facilitate the development of fuel cell technology.

Task 37 focuses on developing open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software for fuel cells, electrolyzers, and electrochemical applications. These models offer valuable insights into fuel cell science and engineering, complementing experimental data gathering. The task coordinates collaborative efforts to advance modelling tools and practices, facilitating progress in fuel cell technology.

  1. Code Development: Collaboratively develop open-source CFD software tailored for fuel cell applications, enabling researchers to simulate fuel cell systems with accuracy and efficiency.
  2. Experimental Validation: Gather experimental data for model validation, focusing on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), and adopting standardized protocols to ensure robust validation practices.
  3. Best Practices in Model Equations: Define state-of-the-art physics and mathematics for fuel cell modelling, ensuring consistency and reliability in modelling approaches across research groups.

November 11, 2023 - Task Meeting 37 Gothenburg

March 21, 2023 - Task Meeting 37 Duisburg

Participation List

Why Tasks?

At AFC TCP, our mission is clear: to advance fuel cell applications worldwide. Tasks are the backbone of our collaborative approach. These dynamic groups bring together global experts from diverse backgrounds in research, industry, and policymaking.

Through our seven active Tasks, we foster a vibrant platform for regular exchange of insights, advancements, and challenges in fuel cell technology. Focused on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEFCs), Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), and electrolysis systems, our coordinated research emphasizes systems analysis and computational modeling.

Tasks enable us to leverage collective expertise and resources, accelerating technological advancements and deepening our understanding of complex challenges. Partnerships with the IEA Energy Technology Network strengthen our information networks, keeping us at the forefront of developments.

By actively engaging with the R&D community, policymakers, and the public, we ensure our efforts have a meaningful impact. Through knowledge sharing, we contribute to the understanding and adoption of advanced fuel cell technologies, driving towards a cleaner, sustainable future.

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Secretariat Technology Collaboration Programme on Advanced Fuel Cells
Marietta Sander
Science Park, Munscheidstr. 14,
D-45886 Gelsenkirchen
Germany

Mobile: +49 171 865 0862
E-Mail: secretariat@ieafuelcell.com 

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