GenHyPEM: A research program on PEM water electrolysis supported by the European Commission

GenHyPEM (Générateur d'Hydrogène par électrolyse de l'eau PEM «Proton Exchange Membrane») is an STREP programme (no 019802) supported by the European Commission in the course of the 6th framework research programme. This R&D project which started in October 2005, is a 2.6 M€ research effort over three years. It gathers partners from Belgium, Germany, Romania, Federation of Russia, Armenia and France. The main goal of the project is to develop low-cost and high pressure (50 bar) PEM water electrolysers for the production of up to several Nm3 H2/h. The purpose of this communication is to present the current status of GenHyPEM. Major results and technological achievements obtained so far in the fields of academic (electrocatalysis, polymer electrolyte) and applied (stack development and performances) research are presented. Non-noble electrocatalysts have been identified to replace platinum for the HER and stable performances have been obtained during operation at high (1 A cm−2) current density, paving the way to substantial cost reductions. Prototype electrolysers producing from 0.1 to 5 Nm3 H2/h have been successfully developed.