The new HyQuality Europe (HQE) project aims to understand the quality of hydrogen fuels in Europe and enable hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) operators to meet the quality standards required for fuels. In a targeted and representative mass market study, the hydrogen quality at HRS will be analysed. For this purpose, 300 samples will be taken in the low-duty range (700 bar, <60 g/s) and in the heavy-duty range (350 bar, >60 g/s) in at least 13 different European countries.
The samples are analyzed by leading hydrogen analysis laboratories and the anonymized results are used to build an open source database. The results will provide data on the occurance classes of various impurities at European hydrogen refuelling stations, which operators can use to create a cost-effective quality assurance plan for risk assessment. This can replace a comparatively expensive prescriptive approach.
The HQE project aims to provide HRS operators with a cost-effective quality assurance approach, thereby helping to reduce the price of hydrogen. Indirect objectives are to increase consumer confidence, to increase the incentive for fleet operators to switch to hydrogen vehicles, and to enable the widespread adoption of hydrogen vehicles and refuelling infrastructure.
In addition, the project will advance quality monitoring at hydrogen refuelling stations using online analysers. For this purpose, three selected HRS will be equipped with analysers. In order to expand the capacity of analyses in accordance with the applicable ISO standards, a suitability comparison of ten hydrogen analysis laboratories will also be carried out. Finally, the occurrence of at least four newly identified impurities will be investigated using comprehensive analytical techniques.
By involving leading researchers in the field, the project will help to proactively support the development of ISO standards and future research on this important topic.
Partners:
- SINTEF AS, European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER).
- Air Liquide France Industry
- EMCEL GmbH
- LINDE GmbH
- Toyota Motor Europe (TME)
- Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- ENGIE
- ENGIE Solutions
- PKN Orlen
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL) Management Limited
Funding reference: 101101447
Short title: HQE
Duration: 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2025
Hydrogen Infrastructure Department
Contact: m.dietrich(at)zbt.de
