Membrane Technologies for Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage

Abstract

The utilization of renewable energy has substantially driven more investments into electrolysis technologies. As renewable energy emerges and penetrates further into the energy market, the storage of surplus “off peak” electricity has received widespread attention. An electrolyzer can utilize “off peak” electricity from solar or wind farms to produce hydrogen or other fuels. These chemicals can then be operated in a fuel cell mode to generate electricity when needed or used for other industrial applications. It is estimated that the water electrolyzer market can increase up to 300 GW over the next two decades. The power to gas market alone is poised to become a multi-billion-dollar market for on-site water electrolysis systems over the next decade. However, current hydrogen production from electrolysis comprises only a small fraction of the global hydrogen market due to the high costs that results from expensive materials even if “free” electricity from renewable energy can be acquired. Giner has been a world leader in researching, developing and manufacturing water electrolyzers and reversible fuel cells. We have been striving to develop the membrane technology to improve electrolyzers’ performance, extend their lifetimes, and lower their capital costs. These efforts include: 1) increasing membrane conductivity; 2) tailoring membrane gas and water permeability; 3) enhancing membrane mechanical strength; 4) prolonging membrane durability; 4) lowering its cost. In addition to water electrolysis for hydrogen production, electrochemical synthesis of ammonia and CO2 conversion to hydrocarbon fuels have also been extensively investigated at Giner. Advanced membranes have been developed to enhance the conversion rate and boost the process efficiency. For example, the electrochemical production of ammonia from nitrogen and water has thus led to tremendous energy savings compared to the conventional Haber-Bosch process. The produced ammonia can be used as low-cost energy carrier for fuel cell vehicles.