Past Projects

WAW

Project Nr. 86

  • Innosuisse
  • GEM funding: 178kCHF
  • Jan2022-Acr 2023
  • Partners: (3):  EPFL GEM, HES-SO, WAW (CH)
  • Objectives: an efficient and mobile Fuel Cell system that delivers BioEnergy, i.e. electricity produced out of BioMass, via the reforming of renewable Ethanol. BioEnergy production that is clean, cost-effective, CO2 neutral, and adapted to the demand of charging points for e-mobility.

Holdigaz-BEST

Project Nr. 85

  • Holdigaz
  • GEM funding: 178kCHF
  • Nov2021-Oct 2023
  • Partners: (2):  EPFL GEM, Holigaz, (CH),
  • Objectives: Construction of a novel bioelectrical reactor to produce >95% biomethane in one step from wastewaters and other CO2 sources, for gas grid injection and small-scale CNG mobility applications

Heat Flux

Project Nr. 84

  • InnoSuisse
  • GEM funding: 158kCHF
  • Mar2021-Feb2023
  • Partners: (2):  EPFL GEM, HES-SO, (CH),
  • Objectives: Development of a heat flux sensor for in-situ measurements in metallurgical thermal treatments.

NewSoc – Next Generation solid oxide fuel cell and electrolysis technology

Project Nr. 78

  • EU-H2020
  • GEM funding: 458kCHF
  • Jan2020-Jun2023
  • Partners: (16):  DTU (DK), CEA (FR), UNISA, Polito, SP (IT), IREC (ES), IEn (PL), TNO (NL), FORTH, CERTH (EL), VTT (FI), EPFL GEM, HEXIS (CH), ELCOGEN (EE), Sunfire (DE), CERES (UK)
  • Objectives:

GAZNAT

Project Nr. 75
  • Industrial
  • GEM funding: 491kCHF
  • Jun2019-Mar2023
  • Partners: (2):  EPFL GEM (CH), GAZNAT (CH)
  • Objectives: High efficiency Power-to-Methane system based on direct thermal coupling between steam electolyzer and catalytic methanator.

BLAZE – Biomass Low cost Advanced Zero Emission small-to-medium scale integrated gasifier-fuel cell combined heat and power plant

Project Nr. 74
  • EU-H2020
  • GEM funding: 385kCHF
  • Mar2019-Feb2022
  • Partners: (10): USGM (IT-lead), UNIVAQ (IT), EPFL GEM & LAMD (CH), SP (CH), ENEA (IT), HYGEAR (NL), WT (IT), VERTECH (FR), EUBIA (BE)
  • Objectives: Developing Low cost, Advanced and Zero Emission first-of-a-kind small-to-medium Biomass CHP. This aim is reached by developing bubbling fluidised bed technology integrating high temperature cleaning & conditioning system.
  • Link: to offcial website

AD Astra – HArnessing Degradation mechanisms to prescribe Accelerated Stress Tests for the Realization of SOC lifetime prediction Algorithms

Project Nr. 73
  • EU-H2020
  • GEM funding: 347kCHF
  • Jan2019-Dec2021
  • Partners: (10): ENEA (IT-lead), CEA (FR), EPFL GEM (CH), SP (IT), DTU (NL), EIFER (DE), UNIGE (IT), UNISA (IT), SUNFIRE (DE), IEES (BG)
  • Objectives: define Accelerated Stress Testing (AST) protocols deduced from a systematic understanding of degradation mechanisms of aged components in solid oxide cell (SOC) stacks, operating in both fuel cell and electrolysis modes. In particular, fuel and oxygen electrode issues and interconnect contact loss will be tackled.
  • Link: to offcial website

Waste 2 Grids -Converting WASTE to offer flexible GRID balancing Services with highly-integrated, efficient solid-oxide plants

Project Nr. 72
  • EU-H2020
  • GEM funding: 287kCHF
  • Jan2019-Jun2020
  • Partners: (4): EPFL GEM (CH – lead), SP (CH), ENEA (IT), DTU (DK)
  • Objectives: identify the most promising industrial pathways of waste gasification and solid-oxide cell (SOC) integrated power-balancing plants (W2G plants in short)
  • Link: to offcial website

WASTE 2 WATTS – Unlocking unused bio-WASTE resources with loW cost cleAning and Thermal inTegration with Solid oxide fuel cells

Project Nr. 71
  • EU-H2020
  • GEM funding: 338 kCHF
  • Jan2019-Dec2020
  • Partners: (11): EPFL GEM (CH – lead), SP (IT), SP (CH), SUNFIRE (DE), BIOKOMP (IT), AROL (FR), PTO (IT), CEA (FR), ENEA (IT), EREP (CH), PSI (CH)
  • Objectives: Two cleaning approaches and hardware will be developed: one for small scale units (5-50 kWe), one for medium-to-large scale units (≥500 kWe). For both cases the hardware will be built and installed on real biogas-sites treating different wastes. Gas analytics will validate the approaches. A detailed full system model will be implemented,  with the targets to maximise net electrical efficiency and minimise cost.
  • Link: to offcial website

HOTCAT4STEAM – Integrated steam generation for Solid Oxide Electrolysis via downstram catalytic fuel synthesis

Project Nr. 70
  • OFEN
  • GEM funding: 149 kCHF
  • Nov2018-Mar2021
  • Partners: (2): EPFL GEM (CH – lead), HSR (CH),
  • Objectives: Develop a steam generator and steam conditioner and integrate both in power-to-gas plant.
  • Link: to offcial website

AWESOME – Analysis of Solid Oxide Materials close to Working conditions by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy

Project Nr. 69
  • FNS
  • GEM funding: 195 kCHF
  • Nov2017-Oct2019
  • Partners: : EPFL GEM (CH – lead), EPFL CIME
  • Objectives: Control opertating conditions in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)

BIOSWEET II – Biomass for Swiss Energy future

Project Nr. 68
  • SCCER
  • GEM funding: 478 kCHF
  • Jan2017-Dec2020
  • Partners: : EPFL, BFH, FHNW, HES-SO, HSLU, PSI, WSL, ZHAW
  • Objectives:

TEACHY – Teaching Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Science and Engineering Across Europe within Horizon 2020

Project Nr. 67
  • EU-H2020
  • GEM funding: 121 kCHF
  • Nov2017-Oct2020
  • Partners: (12): UOB (UK – lead), TU Delft (NL), EPFL (CH), DTU (DK), POLITO (IT), NTUU KPI (UA), VSCHT (CZ), ULB (BE), UPB (RO), Grenoble INP (FR) ULSTER (UK), KIT (DE).
  • Objectives: building a repository of university grade educational material, and design and run an MSc course in FCHT, accessible to students from all parts of Europe.
  • Link: to offcial website

INSIGHT – ImplementatioN in real SOFC Systems of monItoring and diaGnostic tools using signal analysis to increase tHeir lifeTime

Project Nr. 66
  • EU-H2020 (SEFRI)
  • GEM funding: 431 kCHF
  • Jan2017-Dec2019
  • Partners: (11): CEA (FR – lead), SP (IT), HTC (CH), EPFL (CH), DTU (DK), UNISA (IT), JSI (SL), AVL (AT), VTT (FI), Bitron (IT), AK (FR).
  • Objectives: developing a Monitoring, Diagnostic and Lifetime Tool (MDLT) for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) stacks and the hardware necessary for its implementation into a real SOFC system.
  • Link: to offcial website

CH2P – Cogeneration of Hydrogen and Power using solid oxide based system fed by methane rich gas

Project Nr. 65
  • EU-H2020 (SEFRI)
  • GEM funding: 723 kCHF
  • Feb2017-Jul2020
  • Partners: (8): FBK (IT – lead), SP (IT), HTC (CH), EPFL (CH), DLR (DE), HYGEAR (NL), SHELL (NL), VTG (FR)
  • Objectives: Demonstration of a high temperature co-generative SOFC system producing hydrogen and power in a flexible way, addressing the usage scenario of industrial applications through in-field testing. CH2P will be able to advance the final integrated technology from TRL 4 to TRL 6.
  • Link: to offcial website

Balance – Increasing penetration of renewable power, alternative fuels and grid flexibility by cross-vector electrochemical processes

Project Nr. 64
  • EU-H2020 (SEFRI)
  • FuelMat funding: 355 k€
  • Oct2016-Sep2019
  • Partners (8) : VTT (FIN – lead), F, DK, IT, UK, NL, POL
  • Objectives : R & D and demonstration of a reversible SOFC – SOEC system helping the intergration of wind and solar electricity production in the European electrical grid.
  • Outcome: ongoing
  • Link to official website

Pentagon – Unlocking European grid local flexibility trough augmented energy conversion capabilities at district-level

Project Nr. 63
  • EU-H2020 (SEFRI)
  • FuelMat funding: 290 k€
  • Oct2016-Sep2019
  • Partners (10) : UK (lead), BE, F, IT, CSEM (CH), HSR (CH)
  • Objectives : R & D on new generation of eco-districts, leveraging on enhanced energy conversion systems (power-to-gas) and a high level integrated management platform simultaneously acting on different energy carriers (thermal, gas and electric)
  • Outcome: ongoing
  • Link to official website

Orcepac – Revêtement d’une couche cérine pour piles à combustible

Project Nr. 62
  • Interreg-II (Canton VD, Canton VS, Confédération)
  • FuelMat funding: 80 kFr
  • Apr2016-Mar2018
  • Partners (4) : Fiaxell (CH), Univ Belfort-Montbéliard (F), Delphis (F)
  • Objectives : application by various methods of ceria barrier coating and material characterisation
  • Outcome: ongoing

«ECo» – Efficient Co-electrolyzer

Project Nr. 61
  • EU-H2020 (SEFRI)
  • FuelMat funding: 465 k€
  • April2016-Mar2019
  • Partners ( ): DTU (DK – lead), B, F, D, S, HTceramix (CH)
  • Objectives : develop and validate highly efficient coelectrolysis of steam and CO2 into hydrocarbons
  • Outcome: ongoing
  • http://www.eco-soec-project.eu/

SOSLeM – SOFC Stack Lean Manufacturing

Project Nr. 60
  • EU-H2020 (SEFRI)
  • FuelMat funding: 355 k€
  • April2016-Mar2019
  • Partners (5) : SOLIDpower (IT – lead), AVL (AUT), HTceramix (CH), GreenLight (IT)
  • Objectives : improvements on the SOFC industrial production line (total distorted harmonic analysis – TDHA, steel coating, contaminants filter, sealant curing)
  • Outcome: ongoing
  • Link to official website

ProSOFC – Production oriented cost optimal design of SOFC

Project Nr. 59

  • OFEN (Federal Energy Office) – contribution to EU-project
  • FuelMat funding: 245 kFr
  • Jul2015-Aug2017
  • Collaborations : AVL (AUT), DTU (DK), Dynardo (DE), IC (UK), FZJ (DE), HTceramix (CH)
  • Objectives : use of OptiSlang software for robust optimisation under uncertainties in materials properties and production/assembly quality
  • Outcome: ½PhD thesis ; use of new robust optimiser software
  • Link to official website

In-situ and atomic-scale investigations of degradation mechanisms in SOFC

Project Nr. 57
  • EPFL – Max Planck Gesellschaft
  • FuelMat funding (with EPFL-CIME) : 80 k€
  • Jan2015-Dec2016
  • Collaborations : EPFL-SB-CIME (PI) ; Max Planck Berlin (D)
  • Objectives : use of the new Titan TEM at EPFL-CIME and of ESEM in Berlin applied to SOFC materials, high resolution observation
  • Outcome: joint ½PhD thesis

Steam/CO2 high temperature coelectrolysis

Project Nr. 56

  • EOS Holding, Industry mandate
  • FuelMat funding : 300 kFr
  • Oct2014-Sep2017
  • Partners (4): EOS Holding, HTceramix, E4Tech (CH)
  • Objectives : investigating and understanding steam/CO2 coelectrolysis in reverse fuel cells for electrical storage application (power-to-gas)
  • Outcome: PhD thesis

SOPHIA : Solar-coupled (pressurised) high temperature (co)electrolysis

Project Nr. 55
  • EU-FP7
  • FuelMat funding : 349 k€
  • Apr2014-Apr2017
  • Partners (9): NL (lead), D, F, FIN ; EPFL-STI-IGM-LRESE
  • Objectives : Demonstration system of (pressurised) high temperature multi-kW solid oxide electrolyser coupled with a solar concentrator
  • Outcome: PhD thesis (@EPFL-LRESE); new models for electrolysis operation (reverse SOFC) ; stack characterisation under (co)electrolysis
  • Link to official website

Endurance

Project Nr. 54
  • EU-FP7
  • FuelMat funding : 243 k€
  • Partners (13): IT (lead) BUL, D, E, F
  • Objectives : Improve the durability of industrial SOFC stacks
  • Outcome: PhD thesis; improved models for SOFC degradation understanding ; detailed 3D microstructure quantification ; thermomechanical modeling
  • Link to official website

«SERAN», Self-regenerating ceramic anode

Project Nr. 53
  • CCEM (ETH-domain)
  • FuelMat funding : 185 kFr
  • Partners (4): ZHAW (lead), PSI, HEXIS company
  • Objectives : characterise a new anode catalyst for higher tolerance against sulphur poisoning, carbon deposition and reoxidation
  • Outcome: ½PhD thesis ; testing with ppm sulfur-compounds

30 kWe PEFC stack for automotive application

Project Nr. 52
  • CTI
  • FuelMat funding : 117 kFr
  • Jan2013-Dec2015
  • Partners (5): Belenos Cleanpower Holding (CH), HES-Yverdon, EPFL-LA, EPFL-LEPA
  • Objectives : test and validate 10 kWe and 30 kWe PEFC stacks with compressed air for integration into a real fuel cell electric vehicle
  • Outcome: ½PhD thesis; flow field optimisation for the stack bipolar plate; robust optimisation modeling

«Recogen», SOFC system with hot gas recirculator Canton VD

Project Nr. 51
  • FuelMat funding : 350 kFr
  • Jan2014-Dec2017
  • Partners (4): Canton VD, HTceramix SA ; EPFL-LAMD
  • Objectives : implement hot fuel cell exhaust gas recirculation to SOFC system inlet, using high speed microturbomachinery, for increase in efficiency and system control
  • Outcome: 2 PhD theses (1@EPFL-LAMD) ; system layout to reach >60% electrical efficiency and >85% total cogeneration efficiency ; complete test rig

Roxsolidcell

Project Nr. 50
  • EU-EuroStars
  • FuelMat funding : 52 kFr
  • Nov2012-Mar2017
  • Partners (6) : CH (lead), F, N
  • Objectives : characterise novel robust SOFcells
  • Outcome: thermal- and redox-cycling, SEM analysis, instrumentational improvements

SCORED: Steel Coatings for Reduced SOFC Degradation / EU-FP7

Project Nr. 49
  • FuelMat funding : 243 k€
  • Jul2013-Jun2017
  • Partners (8): UK (lead), IT, FIN
  • Objectives : best combinations of cheap alloys with protective coatings for durable high temperature application
  • Outcome: PhD thesis ; new test equipment designed and constructed for multiple-sample steel characterisation (conductivity, Cr evaporation)
  • Link to official website

T-CELL: Triode Cell operation and modeling

Project Nr. 48
  • EU-FP7
  • FuelMat funding : 180 k€
  • Sep2012-Feb2016
  • Partners (8): GR (lead), E, F, N
  • Objectives : Model and validate a new fuel cell operation strategy
  • Outcome: PhD thesis ; electrochemical modeling and validation
  • Link to official website

SOF-CH-ASE: Understanding degradation in SOFC stacks

Project Nr. 47
  • Swisselectric research + OFEN (Federal Energy Office)
  • FuelMat funding : 410 kFr
  • Sep2011-Dec2014
  • Partners : EPFL-LA, HTceramix, HEXIS
  • Objectives: 3 PhD thesis projects: 1 on cathode poisoning, 1 on thermomechanical modeling and measurements, 1 on SOFC stack & system control (@EPFL-STI-IGM-LA)
  • Outcome: 2 PhD theses; understanding on Cr volatility, detection and capture; 2 new test equipments designed and constructed for thermomechanical properties measurements

SOFCOM: SOFC Operation & Maintenance

Project Nr. 46
  • EU-FP7
  • FuelMat funding : 208 k€
  • Nov2011-Apr2015
  • Partners (9) : IT (lead), E, F, FIN, POL
  • Objectives : Demonstration of kW-SOFC systems with biogas and gasified biomass
  • Outcome: ½PhD thesis; fuel catalyst tested with specific contaminants in controlled ppm quantities, and mechanistic analysis ; SOFC system modeling with biofuels incl. cleaning ; quantitative evalution of application potential in CH, D, FIN, IT.
  • Link to official website

«EFESO» SOFCpower company (IT)

Project Nr. 45

  • FuelMat funding : 175 k€
  • JAN2011-DEC2012
  • Industry mandate
  • Objectives : modeling assistance (robust optimisation), stack and post-test characterisation
  • Outcome: ½PhD thesis; long term testing and cycling of stack units from the production line

WoodgasSOFC

Project Nr. 43
  • CCEM (ETH-Domain)
  • FuelMat funding : 255 kFr
  • JAN2012-DEC2014
  • Partners : PSI, EMPA, HTceramix company
  • Objectives: analyse woodgas online; test SOFC anode in woodgas mixtures; system modeling for thermally integrated SOFC-woodgas unit; operate SOFC with woodgas & hot gas cleaning
  • Outcome: ½PhD thesis ; fuel catalyst tested with specific contaminants in controlled ppm quantities, and mechanistic analysis ; complete woodgas-SOFC system model

In situ environmental TEM of Ni anode reduction/reoxidation

Project Nr. 42
  • Swiss Natl Science Foundation
  • CIME / FuelMat funding : 225 kFr
  • JUN2010-OCT2014
  • Partners : EPFL-CIME (PI); Centre for Electron Nanoscopy (Copenhagen, DK)
  • Objectives : elucidate reduction/oxidation mechanisms of Ni catalyst under live observation in an environmental tranmission electron microscope
  • Outcome: PhD thesis; understanding of Ni catalyst microstructural (in)stability; kinetic models for NiO reduction and Ni reoxidation developed
  • Link to official website

«De-Sign» (Degradation Signatures in SOFC)

Project Nr. 41
  • EU-FP7
  • FuelMat funding : 316 k€
  • JAN2011-JUN2014
  • Partners (8) : F (lead), D, FIN, IT, NL
  • Objectives : identify SOFC degradation signatures and apply mitigation procedures
  • Outcome : cells and stacks testing; stable operation at very high fuel conversion (90%)
  • Link to official website

«SOFC-Life»

 Project Nr. 40
  • EU-FP7
  • FuelMat funding : 218 k€
  • JAN2011-DEC2013
  • Partners (10) : D (lead), F, FIN, RUS, UK
  • Objectives : measure and model selected durability processes in SOFCs
  • Outcome : PhD thesis; cathode and steel investigations between 0 and 3000h
  • Link to official website
2010-2012 EU FCH-JU Robanode

2011-2013 EU FCH-JU SOFClife