| Anion exchange membrane electrolysis (AEMEL) is the most promising technology for affordable, clean hydrogen production in Europe. It avoids use of costly or harmful materials and benefits from dynamic pricing of renewable energy. However, production scale-up is currently hampered by short technical lifespan and lack of manufacturing standardisation and automation. SCALE-AEM aims to resolve these bottlenecks and will: 1. Increase production rates, while reducing production costs by scaling up and automating production processes throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to stack production, while reducing waste and rejection of parts or stacks due to anomalies 2. Enhance performance and operational lifetime, by developing a next generation AEMEL stack, with improved membrane and catalyst lifetime 3. Improve life cycle of the stack and its components with more circularity and sustainability, through integrated life cycle management in development, design, and (dis)assembly SCALE-AEM unites the entire manufacturing supply and production chain for AEMEL electrolysers. It includes 4 innovation-driven SME’s’; BRAM (flow plate/bipolar plate), HYD (membrane), MAT (cathode/anode electrodes) and V2H (system integration and performance optimisation), and large company COMAU (automation and process engineering), guided by leading European institute FRA and supported by network organisation ERIG. SCALE-AEM will validate a production line capable of producing up to 100kW AEMEL stacks at €300 (kg/d) level, translating into clean hydrogen produced at less than ~3.00 €(kg/d), below the costs of Steam Methane Reforming for grey hydrogen. The long-term ambition of the consortium is to obtain investments for a 1GW production line per year, operational by 2030, fulfilling 10% of EU’s need by 2035. By replacing fossil hydrogen to continue AEMEL technology developments, and driving further cost reductions, the EU can be a global leader in electrolyser production. |
- Reference
- 101251223
- Project duration
- 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2028
- Project locations
- Germany
- EU contribution
- €3 999 439
- Project website
- Cordis
Stakeholders
Coordinators
FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
- Address
- Germany