A fundamental problem of the energy transition is that the demand and the production of renewable energies do not sufficiently coincide - neither in terms of time nor location. Electricity can be generated in an environmentally friendly way, for example by converting wind, water or solar energy. However, the electrical energy generated in this way is usually not needed on site. In addition, the energy must be available where it is needed, reliably and independently of external factors.
It is therefore essential to store energy, transport it and then release it again elsewhere. Hydrogen is such a storage medium. With the help of electricity, water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis. If the electricity for electrolysis comes from renewable energies, this is known as "green" hydrogen. The hydrogen obtained in this way can now be stored and distributed. In the reverse process, for example in a fuel cell, the stored hydrogen is allowed to react with oxygen in order to convert the energy stored in the hydrogen back into electricity.
Training a new generation of scientists
As part of "Unite.Energy", twelve PhD students will work with partners from industry and other research institutions to investigate hydrogen as a sustainable energy storage medium. The international collaboration aims to prepare a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative researchers who can successfully implement the integration of hydrogen in the energy field.
The researchers are investigating the use of hydrogen to store surplus electrical energy generated from renewable energies outside of peak load times, as well as its use for power generation during peak load times. The hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, stored on site and used to generate electricity in fuel cells. The aim is to increase the competitiveness of chemical energy storage with hydrogen.
Research in a tandem
The PhD students benefit in particular from the international networking of the Unite! alliance, as they are each assigned to a tandem consisting of two researchers from two partners in the Unite! alliance and therefore carry out their research at two universities. At the end, the PhD students will receive a so-called cotutelle doctorate, i.e. a joint doctorate from two universities.
Unite.Energy fits perfectly into the context of the Unite! alliance and now offers the first large cohort of doctoral students a structured doctoral programme under the supervision of the Unite! Doctoral School in the field of Energy, one of the four focus areas of Unite! (Energy, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, Entrepreneurship).
The project is being coordinated by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-Barcelona Tech (Spain). Researchers from the Unite! universities Aalto University (Finland), Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble (France), KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Wrocław University of Science and Technology (Poland), Technical University of Darmstadt (Germany) and Graz University of Technology (Austria) are involved as well as the University of Lisbon (Portugal) as associated partner. Other partners from industry, the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and non-university research institutions are also participating in the project.
About Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions were established by the European Commission to promote transnational and intersectoral mobility and career development of researchers and to enhance the attractiveness of scientific careers. Support is provided for doctoral training networks, research stays by experienced researchers, staff exchange programmes and mobility programmes.
More information about the project:
Unite! MSCA Energy in a nutshell
Unite! Energy website