Sandrine Ricote, research associate professor of mechanical engineering, works with proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis cells, or P-SOECs, in the lab. Ricote is leading a $3 million U.S. Department of Energy project to demonstrate novel materials, components and designs for high-efficiency ceramic electrolyzers.
Colorado School of Mines recently secured $10.5 million in federal funding reflecting growing support in the U.S. for clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and their potential to provide sustainable domestic energy with net zero emissions.
Mines received a total of three awards in recent months: $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to advance high-temperature fuel cells and $7.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for two hydrogen and fuel-cell related projects: $3 million to develop advanced electrolyzer technologies and components for clean hydrogen production and $4.5 million to develop a combined heat and power system capable of running on low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen.
“Mines is committed to developing and delivering a portfolio of innovative and sustainable energy solutions for practical use,” said Walter G. Copan, Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer at Mines. “Fuel cell and highly efficient electrolyzer technologies are critical to unlocking the potential of clean hydrogen, and these awards will drive and accelerate Mines’ research impact.”
$3M for high-temperature fuel cells
Championed by Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, Mines’ $3 million Congressionally Directed Spending award will provide equipment and infrastructure to advance and mature fuel cell technology for the efficient conversion of ammonia into carbon-free electricity.
“Ammonia is a promising fuel in the hydrogen economy. On the one hand, it is a viable hydrogen carrier that can be used in environmentally friendly combustion processes, thus replacing traditional fossil fuels,” said Bob Kee, professor of mechanical engineering. “Our team is already investigating ammonia combustion to produce carbon-free energy through previous awards.”
“On the other hand, ammonia can be converted directly to electricity using high-temperature fuel cells which produce no polluting emissions,” Kee added. “This new funding will support research infrastructure that enables us to unlock the clean energy potential of ammonia and other alternative fuels through advanced fuel cells.”
To make this technology an economically viable option, greater electrochemical efficiency must be achieved at scale.
Read the full article here in the Mines Newsroom