Boosting Economic Electrolyzer Stack Technology 2 (BEEST2)

Hydrogen is predicted to become a key energy carrier in the future renewable energy system; transportation, grid balancing, energy transmission, and industry. And as feedstock to carbon-neutral fuels through Powerto- X (PtX) applications. Realizing this potential depends on the availability of reliable and efficient electrolyzers at a large scale, capable of producing green hydrogen at a lower price than fossil-based alternatives.

Increasing the energy efficiency of electrolysis is a key enabler for other PtX technologies and will have a significant impact in reaching the 70% CO2 reduction target in 2030.

In BEEST2, a next-generation alkaline water electrolyzer (AWE) stack with improved efficiency will be developed and demonstrated under realistic operating conditions in a full-scale system. The project aims to improve the efficiency, price and durability of the electrodes and internal components used in AWE by using new combinations of materials and newly discovered electrode processing techniques. Multiphysics simulations of AWE stacks will be deployed for streamlining the development process to reduce time-to-market and increase efficiency.

In short, BEEST2 will deliver improvements to the key components of the AWE stack to make green hydrogen competitive against hydrogen from fossil sources - paving the way for a society based on 100% renewable energy.