Electrochemical Energy Research Activities at the German Aerospace Center (DLR)

Kurzfassung

Fuel cells (FC), electrolyzers (EL) for hydrogen generation from renewable energy, and batteries (BT) with superior energy density are acknowledged as essential parts of the necessary transition of the energy system as required by the commitments to climate protection in the frame of COP21 and COP22. With the ratification of these agreements by more than hundred countries it is to be expected that fuel cells, renewable hydrogen and batteries will become important options for emission reduction in many parts of the world. In this presentation an overview over the activities of the German Aerospace Center will be given focusing on fuel cells and electrolysis. DLR has a long experience in fuel cells and is working from fundamentals to systems in SOFC and PEFC. Metal supported cells were further devel¬oped with alternative fabrication methods. A strategic project of DLR is the demonstration of a hybrid power plant with SOFC in combination with micro gas turbines. Pressurized SOFC operation for this system was investigated for various stacks and cell designs. The build-up of the 30 kW SOFC hybrid power plant system is progressing. For cell development of PEFC DLR is mainly involved in lowering Pt noble metal content and concurrently maintaining performance and durability. Therefore, understanding and mitigating degrada¬tion is also a priority for PEFC. Fundamental hybrid concepts (FC with BT) have been developed and verified experimentally. Hybrid systems of up to 80 kW have been developed for aircraft operation (for more electric aircraft and electric propulsion. Main research activities in electrolysis focus on low temperature (PEMEL) and high temperature (SOEC) electrolysis. PEMEL was further developed by DLR with regard to cost reduction (bipolar plates (BP), backing) and sustainability (lowering Ir content). The component development for PEMEL has been advanced by synthesis of novel Ir-based electro-catalysts with superior performance and their mechanistic under¬standing, the development of new concepts for contact and backing layers, and the demonstration of corrosion protection coatings for stainless steel BPs.