In conjunction with the engineering partner IAV, the Zentrum für
Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg
(Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-
Württemberg, ZSW), the Reiner Lemoine Institut (RLI) and Wasserelektrolyse Hydrotechnik (HT) are
researching cost-effective methods of producing hydrogen with
the help of automotive technology. In the context of the 'ecoPtG'
project, the researchers and engineers are developing an alkaline
water electrolyzer with an output of 100 kilowatt. They aim to
demonstrate that CO2-neutral hydrogen can be produced in a
cost-effective manner. By converting electricity to gas, solar and wind power become storable. If required, hydrogen can be reconverted or used as environmentally compatible fuel for fuel cell vehicles.
Up until now, high investment costs were a barrier to market entry,
especially in the case of smaller electrolyzers. The partners IAV, ZSW,
RLI und HT set up the 'ecoPtG' project to change this situation. Using
a straightforward concept, simplified production processes and
affordable materials, such as plastics, they intend to make the
envisaged alkaline 100-kilowatt electrolysis fit for the market. To
achieve this aim, the project partners are predominantly using
automotive technology, focussing on power electronics, steering and
sensor technology as well as production process components for
temperature control and media loops. In the automotive industry, many
of these components, which also meet electrolysis requirements, are
mass-produced cost-effectively using various drive technologies. The
'ecoPtG' project has been designed to investigate ways of transferring
these technologies to hydrogen production. The Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology funds the 'ecoPtG' project.