Design Optimisation and Development of PEM Electrolyser

Global warming and the accelerating depletion of fossil-based fuels have catalysed a tremendous surge in the development of alternative and sustainable energy sources e.g. wind, solar and hydropower. Due to the deep penetration of these renewable energy technologies and the UK carbon incentive of providing almost 80% of energy through renewables by 2050 [1], it is required that the surplus energy to be stored. Apart from storing excess energy into battery and other forms, storing hydrogen as energy by electrolysis of water is of recent interest. This is due to the development of new and high efficiency fuel cells that use hydrogen to generate electricity that may be connected to the grid for power at times of need. Fuel cell systems have advanced with recent interest of using open pore cellular foam (OPCF) material foam channel which has shown a drastic increase in the overall performance. The effects of OPCF material foam channel for use in electrolysers have never been studied before. The aim of this research is to develop a research methodology and provide insight into the viability of using OPCF foam material in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysers.