SCIENTIFIC-TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITIES

SCIENTIFIC-TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITIES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

The technological and industrial strength of the Basque Country in the hydrogen sector is reflected in a complete value chain, in which the scientific-technological capacities play a relevant role to stimulate training, R&D and industrial development that will position the Basque Country as an exporter of technology in a constantly growing R&D market. Below are the most relevant capacities of some of the reference technology centres in Euskadi:

Scientific & technological capabilities: TECNALIA

source: TECNALIA
  • 35 FTE People
  • €2000k Annual budget

Lines of technological research

  • Development and scale-up of advanced electrolyzers.
  • Development and scale-up of membranes and membrane reactors to generate and purify hydrogen.
  • Development of thermochemical processes to generate hydrogen (e.g. pyrolysis, gasification) including capture and use of CO2.
  • Development and evaluation of materials for hydrogen transport, distribution and storage.
  • Development of liquid carriers for H2 and e-fuels and associated hydrogenation/dehydrogenation technologies.
  • Development of monitoring/sensor technologies for H2 infrastructure.
  • Development of fuel cells and integration into the propulsion system for mobility H2 storage tank integration, thermal management system, etc.
  • Development and testing of systems to use H2 as fuel in high-temperature processes.

Infrastructure

  • Hydrogen Technology Laboratory: electrolysis, fuel cells, hydrogen carriers, etc.
  • Membrane Technology Laboratory.
  • Surface Engineering Laboratory.
  • Laboratory to test corrosion and compatibility of materials with H2 (autoclaves).
  • Mechanical Testing Laboratory.
  • Metallography Laboratory.

Prior experience

  • 20 years working continuously with hydrogen.
  • Coordinator of eight European projects and participant in more than 15 hydrogen projects.
  • Numerous privately-funded projects with companies.
  • EARTO 2018. “Next Generation Generator” Innovation Award.
  • Establishment of the technology-based company H2SITE.
  • Involved with national and European H2 associations.
  • Member of Hydrogen Europe Research executive committee, Spanish Hydrogen Association and Hysafe.
  • Coordinator of the drafting of the sector agenda for the Hydrogen Industry in Spain.
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Scientific & technological capabilities: CIC energiGUNE

source: CIC energiGUNE
  • 10 FTE People
  • €800k Annual budget

Lines of technological research

  • Development of new green H2 generation systems (pyrolysis, thermochemical cycles).
    • Design, synthesis and characterisation of solid reactants.
    • Improvement of solid reactants (reversibility, kinetics, cyclability, etc.).
    • Study of reaction phenomena and mechanisms.
    • Design, construction and testing of laboratory-scale reactors.
  • Development, characterization and testing of electrodes and membranes for new generations of electrolyzers and fuel cells.
  • Characterisation of critical materials and components on the hydrogen value chain Pre-mortem and post-mortem analysis.
  • Other development capabilities: new CO2 capture and storage and H2 storage processes; new eco-friendly liquid H2 carriers; new developments to produce synthetic fuels with captured H2 and CO2; development of co-generation systems (heat-electricity) and heat networks.

Infrastructure

  • Electron Microscope Platform.
  • Nuclear Property Resonance Platform.
  • Surface Analysis Unit.
  • Physical Property Measurement System.
  • X-Ray Diffraction Platform.
  • Electrochemical Testing Laboratory.
  • Prototyping and Thermal Testing Laboratory.
  • Thermal Analysis Platform.
  • General Techniques Laboratory.
  • Hydrogen Technology Platform.

Prior experience

  • Several years researching hydrogen technologies (production, storage and uses).
  • More than 25 researchers (3 of them from Ikerbasque) with experience in the hydrogen value chain (electrochemical processes, thermal processes, etc.), having taken part in various regional, European and industrial projects.
  • Member of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance selected to be a member of the Building Round Table.
  • Collaboration with other hydrogen sector associations such as PTE HPC, EMIRI, AeH2 and the Basque Energy Cluster in the H2 hub.
  • Member of EERA, Spire, EMMC, etc.
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Scientific & technological capabilities: UPV EHU

source: UPV EHU
  • 5 FTE People
  • 500k € Annual budget

Lines of technological research

  • Development and scale-up of innovative thermochemical cycles to produce hydrogen.
  • Development of new systems to generate H2: gasification, pyrolysis, etc.
  • Development of technologies to generate H2 based on solar energy and biological processes.
  • Development of technologies to generate H2 from new raw materials (biogas / bioethanol / biomethanol, etc.).
  • Development and optimisation of new reforming processes including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), by optimising the efficiency of both processes.
  • Development of new liquid hydrogen carriers and new reaction systems, eco-friendly and with a high hydrogen-carrying capacity.
  • Storage and transport of hydrogen in the natural gas grid by producing methane from a reaction of hydrogen with CO2 (Power-to-Gas technology).

Infrastructure

  • Laboratory for the development and scale-up of thermochemical cycles: thermobalance and pilot plant.
  • Laboratory for synthesis and characterisation of new materials and/or catalysts. Study of the activity and selectivity of new materials prepared for H2 storage and generation systems. Characterisation, performance and maximum number of loading/unloading cycles.
  • Multi-purpose pilot plant to store or generate hydrogen The reaction system can operate with fixed-bed, CSTR, membrane or monolith reactors Online reaction product analysis.

Prior experience

  • Over 15 years working on technology relating to hydrogen and sustainability by means of Basque projects (Elkartek, Hazitek), regional projects (Ministry of Science and Innovation) and European projects ((Hydrogen Europe, H2020).
  • Numerous projects with companies through research contracts.
  • Establishment of the spin-off "Hidrógenos del Norte".
  • Members of Hydrogen Europe Research, Spanish Hydrogen Association, PTECO2 and EERA.
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Scientific & technological capabilities: CIDETEC

source: CIDETEC
  • 3 FTE People
  • 200k € Annual budget

Lines of technological research

  • Development and scaling of catalysts for low temperature electrolysis and PEMFC fuel cells.
  • Design and manufacture of electrodes for PEM electrolysers and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.
  • Design and assembly of MEAs for membrane electrolysers and fuel cells.
  • Development of metallic and non-metallic coatings for bipolar plates of electrolysers and fuel cells.
  • Assembly of PEMFC stacks, design of sealing systems and management of fluids. Design and assembly of prototypes of PEMFC systems for portable and mobility applications.
  • Modelling; hybridisation of energy systems.
  • Synergy with current capabilities in cells.

Infrastructure

  • Chemical / electrochemical synthesis and manufacturing laboratory.
  • Chemical / electrochemical metal deposition pilot plant.
  • Electrode production and MEA assembly pilot plant.
  • H2 and related technologies laboratory: PEM electrolysis test bench and PEMFC fuel cells.
  • Characterisation laboratory: physico-chemical techniques.
  • Characterisation laboratory: electrochemical techniques and corrosion.
  • Metallography Laboratory.
  • Mechanical Testing Laboratory.

Prior experience

  • More than 20 years of accumulated experience working in the field of hydrogen and related technologies.
  • Coordinator and participant in a total of 11 European projects in the field of hydrogen.
  • More than 10 projects under direct contract with companies.
  • Presence in European and Spanish associations and platforms in the field of H2.
  • Founding member of the PTE HPC.
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Scientific & technological capabilities: TUBACEX

source: TUBACEX
  • 5 FTE People
  • €400k Annual budget

Lines of technological research

  • Development of materials for use in bipolar plates in advanced electrolysers.
  • Development of materials for use in high temperature electrolysers.
  • Development of an industrial plant for thermo-chemical processes to generate green hydrogen (e.g. pyrolysis, gasification) from solid urban waste.
  • Development and testing of materials using H2 as fuel in high temperature processes.
  • Development of tubular systems for the transport of high pressure off-shore hydrogen.
  • Development of a tubular solutions for hydrogen storage in salt caverns.
  • Development of ceramic coatings resistant to hydrogen permeation.

Infrastructure

  • Corrosion and H2 Compatibility of Materials Laboratory.
  • Mechanical Testing Laboratory.
  • Metallography Laboratory.
  • Design and simulation capabilities in advanced electrolysis systems.
  • Laboratory for the application of coatings on metal surfaces.

Prior experience

  • Members of the Basque Hydrogen Corridor.
  • Promoting partners of the Energy Intelligence Center (EIC).
  • Partners of projects promoting hydrogen: Hy-Shore, H-Acero, H2-Hornos, H2-Basque.
  • Promoters of the European Hy-Value project funded by the Innovation Fund.
  • Promoting partners of H2IT - Associazione Italiana Idrogeno e Celle a Combustibile.
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Scientific & technological capabilities: PETRONOR INNOVACIÓN

source: PETRONOR INNOVACIÓN
  • 15 FTE People
  • €2.000k Annual budget

Lines of technological research

  • Development and operation in thermo-chemical processes for hydrogen generation, including CO2 capture and use.
  • Experience in the operation of systems that use H2 in high temperature processes.
  • Development and scale-up of advanced electrolysers.
  • Operational experience in hydrogenation/dehydrogenation technologies (Reactors, sulphur removal units, etc.).
  • Development, operation and maintenance of generation reactors and membranes for hydrogen purification.
  • Development and evaluation of materials for hydrogen generation, use and distribution.
  • Development of monitoring/sensor technologies for H2 infrastructure.

Infrastructure

  • Access to hydrogen production and purification plants.
  • Access to CO2 separation and production plants.
  • Laboratory for the analysis of hydrogen currents and other hydrocarbons.
  • Gas chromatography laboratory.
  • Laboratory for the testing of valves and components.

Prior experience

  • 40 years of continuous operating and handling of hydrogen.
  • Know-how acquired over 40 years of inspections and maintenance of infrastructures linked to manufacturing, operation and use of hydrogen.
  • Coordinator of European projects and participant in more than 8 hydrogen projects The Basque Hydrogen Corridor - BH2C.
  • Numerous privately-funded projects with companies.
  • Coordinator of the drafting of the sector agenda for the Hydrogen Industry in Spain.
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Scientific & technological capabilities: TEKNIKER

source: TEKNIKER
  • 5 FTE People
  • €500k Annual budget

Lines of technological research

  • Development of new materials for H2 generation systems, both for PEM and AEM, and for photoelectrochemical cells to convert sunlight directly into hydrogen.
  • Design, scale-up and development of control algorithms for electrolysis systems and photoelectrochemical cells.
  • Scale-up and optimisation of processes to manufacture these components: design of production plants for industrial manufacturing of electrolysers.
  • Synthesis and study of alternative thermochemical cycles to generate hydrogen.
  • Development of systems to store hydrogen in organic liquids: catalysts and supports.
  • Study of the mechanical properties of materials when H2 is present: embrittlement and leaks.
  • Optimisation of controllers in wind power and PV plants incorporating electrolysers to maximise the efficiency of the system and durability of electrolysis equipment.
  • Development of monitoring and advanced sensorisation systems to improve system efficiency and safety.
  • Charging infrastructure: on-site centralised generation systems, development of charging process optimisation algorithms.
  • Development of advanced management systems for energy grids.

Infrastructure

  • Surface Engineering Laboratory.
  • Laboratories to test corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement and mechanical properties.
  • Electrolysis system test bench: components and electrifiers.
  • Hydrogenation/dehydrogenation cycle test bench.
  • Power laboratory.
  • Bunker for high-risk testing.

Prior experience

  • Eight years of experience working in the H2 sector throughout the entire value chain.
  • Coordinator and participant in more than 17 European and national H2 projects, and direct contracts with companies.
  • Partner of H2GREEM, electrolyser manufacturing company.
  • Member of Hydrogen Europe Research, Basque H2 Corridor, PTE HPC, EMIRI and the Basque Energy Cluster’s H2 group.
  • Participant in the drafting of the sector agenda for the Hydrogen Industry in Spain.
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