Performance data extraction from dynamic long-term operation of proton exchange membrane and alkaline water electrolysis cells

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 127, pp. 51–63

Abstract

The direct coupling of wind turbines to water electrolyzers promises scalable, green hydrogen production, but little is known about the impact of the fluctuating power provided by renewable energy sources on electrolyzer longevity. Therefore, we developed a realistic, semi-synthetic wind power profile to operate polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) cells. We also established two analysis methods for the dynamically obtained I-V data. The methods enable the extraction of I-V curves, voltage degradation, and resistances. A major advantage of these methods is the highly accurate extraction of performance metrics without interrupting dynamic operation. Cell voltage degradation in both electrolysis technologies depends on both the current density and operation mode. While extracting an accurate ohmic cell resistance for AWE cells proved challenging, we found good agreement for PEMWE cells with the high-frequency resistance measured by impedance spectroscopy. With the proposed methods, the stability of all types of electrolysis systems can be studied during dynamic operation. • Development of a semi-synthetic wind profile from real wind speed data. • Cell voltage changes, I-V curves and cell resistances from dynamic water electrolysis. • Extracted I-V curves more accurately represent performance under dynamic operation. • Extracted cell resistances agree with the HFR from EIS for PEMWE cells. • Cell voltage degradation rates depend on current density and mode of operation.

Authors 9

1. Sharon V. Pape Aachen Faculty 4

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, IET-4: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425, Jülich, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Faculty 4, 52062, Aachen, Germany

2. Sarah Zerressen corresponding

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, IET-4: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425, Jülich, Germany

3. Martin Florian Seidler

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Materials and Devices, IMD-3: Photovoltaics, 52425, Jülich, Germany

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, IET-4: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425, Jülich, Germany

4. Roger Keller

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, IET-4: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425, Jülich, Germany

5. Felix P. Lohmann-Richters

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, IET-4: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425, Jülich, Germany

6. Martin Johannes Müller

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, IET-4: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425, Jülich, Germany

7. Ulf‐Peter Apfel

   Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT · Ruhr University Bochum

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Department of Electrosynthesis, 46047, Oberhausen, Germany

   Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Inorganic Chemistry, 44801, Bochum, Germany

8. Anna K. Mechler Aachen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, IET-4: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425, Jülich, Germany

   JARA-ENERGY, 52056, Aachen, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Electrochemical Reaction Engineering (AVT.ERT), 52074, Aachen, Germany

9. Andreas Glüsen corresponding

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy Technologies, IET-4: Electrochemical Process Engineering, 52425, Jülich, Germany