The international Doctoral Network Unite! MSCA Energy is investigating the use of hydrogen for chemical energy storage

In the race towards renewable energy adoption, a pressing dilemma looms large: the efficient storage of surplus electricity generated during lulls in demand. In this context, the MSCA- funded Unite!Energy project brings together ten of the most prestigious European universities: the Unite! partner universities: Aalto University; KTH Royal Institute of Technology;  Wrocław University of Science and Technology; Technical University of Darmstadt; Graz University of Technology; Grenoble INP-UGA; Politecnico di Torino and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg; Universidade de Lisboa (Unite! partner university and involved in this project as an associated partner). Also as associated partners involved in Unite!Energy are eight companies: EOS Finland, ABB, Powercell Sweden, KIC INNOENERGY SE, HERAEUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH & CO KG, SOLARONIX SA, CEA GRENOBLE, SNAM S.P.A.) and two R&I institutions: Barcelona Supercomputing Center and eRoots Analytics. The common goal is to harness hydrogen as a chemical energy storage medium, produced through cutting-edge electrolysis and photoelectrolysis methods.

This transformative endeavour seeks to reduce costs across the board, from production to storage and utilisation, while maximising environmental efficiency. Beyond technological advancements, Unite!Energy aspires to nurture a new generation of enterprising researchers, fostering integration of hydrogen in the energy sector through interdisciplinary excellence.. 



The overall success of Unite!Energy project will be supported by the development and achievement of the specific objectives: 



  • Decrease the cost and environmental impact of the electrolyser-photoelectrolyser
    system (WP1) and fuel cell stack (WP2) maintaining or increasing their performances
    and stability.

  • Design and optimize system components to increase their efficiency and durability,
    considering safety-related aspects and by-products recycling (WP3).

  • Assess the environmental impacts, sustainability, and criticalities of the PtP solution
    and of each technology involved (WP4).

  • Prepare a well-trained workforce with particular attention to the material science,
    design and sustainability assessment of processes (WP5).

  • Produce and disseminate high-quality scientific knowledge about chemical storage
    using hydrogen, and to increase social acceptance in hydrogen-based technologies
    (WP6).

  • Create a strong university network based on the existing Unite! alliance and to
    reinforce the partnership with industrial entities that seek synergies between
    academia and stakeholders (WP7). 


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