Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and Swerim have received funding from Vinnova to develop a new testbed where different applications for electrolysis and hydrogen storage can be tested and evaluated.

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Image: RISE and Swerim to develop hydrogen generation testbed in Sweden. Photo: Courtesy of RISE.

The physical facility will be built in Luleå, Sweden.

Sweden aims to have a fossil-independent vehicle fleet in 2030, fossil-free power generation in 2040, and a climate neutral society in 2045. Against this background, interest in electrolysis and renewable hydrogen is increasing rapidly.

Renewable hydrogen from electrolysis has the potential to play an important role in a future energy system and help Sweden and other countries to switch to renewable power generation, climate-neutral industries and a climate-neutral society. This is illustrated not least by the cross sectorial industry project HYBRIT.

With support from Vinnova, RISE and Swerim will develop a testbed where various applications for electrolysis and hydrogen storage can be tested and evaluated. The physical infrastructure will be established at Swerim in Luleå. To extend the scope of the tests that can be done, infrastructure and skills from other parts of RISE and Swerim can be integrated. An example is the testbed for development of biofuels and biochemicals at RISE ETC in Piteå.

RISE project coordinator Anna-Karin Jannasch said: “The testbed will be an open and neutral arena where you can evaluate and demonstrate both single components and entire value chains for a wide range of different hydrogen applications.

“This may include energy storage, production of biofuels and green chemicals or hydrogen applications in the metallurgical industry. Equally important as the physical testbed is the competence center for hydrogen technologies that we now create.”

Swerim project manager Lawrence Hooey said: “The establishment of this testbed provides a unique opportunity to accelerate the development and deployment of hydrogen technology across multiplel industries and in society.

“Swerim and RISE, together with stakeholders from industry and the public sector, create critical mass to support development and enable us to expand our existing testbeds and services to meet industry needs.”

Hybrit Development CEO Mårten Görnerup said: “It is gratifying that a national testbed in the hydrogen area is being established with infrastructure open to various research studies. This is important for the HYBRIT initiative and it is positive as it strengthens the competence in the region and in Sweden, in a new important area.”

Perstorp business development manager Anna Berggren said: “We see this as a very interesting project since hydrogen is an important part of the shift towards a sustainable society as well as in the shift of raw materials for the chemical industry and for the Perstorp ambition to become Finite Material Neutral.”

The testbed is being developed in cooperation with a working group consisting of around twenty stakeholders and future testbed users, including Hybrit, Höganäs, Sandvik, Perstorp, Nouryon, Haldor Topsoe and HydrogenPro.

Source: Company Press Release