// ProEly
The project focuses on the development of a circular plastic construction method and a scalable process technology for the resource-efficient large-scale production of cell frames for alkaline water electrolysis.
Electrolysis technologies suitable for series production are being developed in cooperation – a prerequisite for the industrial production of green hydrogen. The broad-based consortium aims to support the scaling of electrolysis technologies and secure Germany's market leadership. It consists of the following consortium partners ElringKlinger AG, AUMO GmbH, Symate GmbH, MOCOM Compounds GmbH & Co. KG, the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology in Dresden (ILK) and the ZSW in Stuttgart.
The ZSW is focusing on the qualification of novel materials and construction methods for cost-effective electrolysis stack components. In the interests of resource-efficient and economical construction, multi-component technology is to be used for the cell frames. The concept envisages the use of durable high-performance polymers only in the media routing areas of the cell frames. The supporting structure, on the other hand, consists of standard plastics, which is reinforced with fibers or a composite structure as required.
The ZSW contributes significant IP and expertise (stack and component design) as well as findings from the ongoing “H2-Wyhlen” living laboratory of the energy transition to the project in order to start on a validated technological basis and accelerate the market ramp-up.
Innovative processes developed by the consortium partners will enable automated large-scale production in the future, including digital, AI-based quality assurance. The demonstrator stack to be developed with the new recyclable cell frames will be validated in test operations at the ZSW's ElyLab. Together, these efforts will make a significant contribution to a sustainable hydrogen economy.
The project is thus making a significant contribution to the transformation of the energy system and is funded from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy with approximately €3.6 million. The project results are expected to be transferable to other hydrogen technologies and to automotive and aviation applications, as well as to alternative series production processes.
