Engineering for Sustainable Energy Systems

• H₂O electrolysis: Although commercial H₂O electrolyzers are available, only 4% of the total H₂ production derives from electrolysis, these electrolyzers are not competitive with fossil fuel based H₂. Because electrolyzers can be easily powered by renewable electricity, this presents a huge opportunity. The flagship project, “The Dutch Electrolyzer” aims to develop a washing machine sized electrolyzer for hydrogen production on a 1-10 MW scale, which can deal with highly variable current densities. The relatively small size allows for high production volume manufacturing with large economic benefits. To reach this goal, fundamental research is needed to make steps in electrode stability, electrode overpotential, more efficient membranes, and better hydrodynamic design of the electrolyzer. EIRES provides a unique opportunity for an integrated approach that bridges the fundamental research on the design and synthesis of improved electro-catalysts with the areas of electrochemical reactor and process system engineering and advanced manufacturing technology. The expertise developed on this project is easily translated to other electrolysis processes, e.g. reduction of CO₂ to carbon-based fuels.
• H₂ combustion systems: While the use of H₂ and related fuels, such as NH₃, offers the possibility of carbon-free heat and power generation, their combustion properties are vastly different from natural gas, which demands the development of new combustion concepts and systems. The peculiar combustion phenomena related to the high reactivity and diffusivity of H₂, pose many scientific and technological challenges, such as combustion instabilities and nitrogen emissions. The aim is to develop fundamental understanding of these phenomena and to translate this into technological solutions for safe, clean, and efficient conversion of these sustainable fuels. 
• Heavy duty combustion systems: To use new renewable fuels efficiently they must be adapted and optimized. Be it for the use of H₂ directly, for which an ultra-efficient concept exist (~70%, ‘the Argon-Engine’), or for the use of derived synthetic fuels like NH₃, methanol/ethanol, or even for more diesel-like fuels like DME and OMEx. Several opportunities exist that have a very high efficiency and very low emissions at the same time. (this links to the products coming from CO₂ electrolysis topic in the focus area Chemistry for sustainable energy systems)
• Metal fuels: fine metal powder is an excellent way to store energy. For this new type of dense energy carrier, existing processes need to be redefined (e.g. the refurbishment of a coal-fired power plant for the use of metal fuels). TU/e has a worldwide leading position on the use of metal powders as dense energy carrier. Challenges here pertain to the controlled combustion, regeneration of metal oxides or the reversed storage of energy which can be done in chemical ways (using hydrogen from electrolysis) or, preferably, by direct metal oxide electro-reduction.

Opportunities within TU/e: The scientific mission outlined above is motivated by the fact that existing energy systems are developed and optimized for different, fossil-based fuels. To enable the efficient and economically viable use of renewable fuels the development and/or adaptation of sustainable energy systems is needed. We will develop computational fluid dynamics tools to numerically predict the detailed dynamics in the various energy systems. There will be clear links within this theme with the theme on physics driven and data driven artificial intelligence within EAISI. These studies will be complemented by various advanced diagnostic tools, which are both used to validate the outcomes of the numerical studies, but also to provide insights that are not yet covered in our numerical tools. We will develop and demonstrate with industrial partners novel materials, processes, and designs, allowing for a rapid level-up rate in TRL towards large scale application and significant economic benefits. Because of the multidisciplinarity inherent to energy systems, EIRES provides a platform for researchers to cooperate and benefit from all available expertise and infrastructure.

Profiling of the focus area outside EIRES and TU/e: testing and demonstration of novel energy systems will be done in close collaboration with various partners, including DIFFER, TNO, ECN, ISPT, Nouryon, Nyrstar, Tata Steel, Shell, Groupe PSA, Uniper, Engie, PGE, RWE, Pometon, MTT, EM-Group, Romico, Metalot3C, DENSE, and Team SOLID. A plan will be drawn to setup bilateral and/or round-table meetings with the industrial and R&D landscape to steer the research program and shape the content of mid- and long-term research lines (for example, by means of an ITN Marie Curie). The focus area should also strategically monitor the developments within the meerjarige missiegedreven innovatie programma’s (MMIP’s). Contact will be pursed also with the energy institutes present at the other Dutch (technical) universities, as well as the ISPT, in order to highlight differences and complementary aspects in the scientific mission and approach, as well as to sharpen the identity of the focus area and of EIRES.