Tekniker exhibits its capabilities along the entire hydrogen value chain at EHEC 2024

The technology centre will address its knowledge and experience in the development of new technologies for the generation, storage, transport and use of hydrogen in four presentations.

During the congress, which will be held from 6 to 8 March at the BEC in Bilbao, it will also have different demonstrators that offer a sample of the potential of its capabilities and facilities to promote R&D in this field.

The Tekniker technology centre, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), will have a prominent presence at the EHEC 2024 congress, which will be held between 6 and 8 March at the Bilbao Exhibition Center (BEC), through four presentations that will address its technological capabilities throughout the hydrogen value chain.
Specifically, the technology centre will present at the new edition of the European forum the knowledge acquired in different projects at regional, state and European level in the field of hydrogen, as well as its experience in research and development of new technologies for generating, storing, transporting and using hydrogen in industry.
On the one hand, Lucía Mendizabal, coordinator of Tekniker’s Hydrogen Commitment, will address the implementation of PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) technology for the manufacture of components of electrolysis stacks on a large scale and in an automated way and will give the example of two collaborative projects at national level. Firstly, GREENH2PIPES, a project funded by the CDTI in the MISSIONS call, led by Enagás and in which Tekniker participates, with the aim of developing new materials and components for PEM electrolysers to reduce their manufacturing costs. Secondly, ELEKWIND, a project in which Tekniker participates and which is financed within the framework of the Spanish Government’s PERTE for Renewable Energies, Renewable Hydrogen and Storage (ERHA).
“We are collaborating with other companies to improve the performance and flexibility of alkaline electrolysis stacks and generate green hydrogen from wind energy at a more competitive cost,” says the expert.
On the other hand, the researcher Antia Villamayor will present in another talk the developments made in the manufacture of electrodes with ultra low platinum charge for PEM electrolysers, the researcher Fernando López will show Tekniker’s capabilities in characterisation of materials exposed to hydrogen atmospheres, and the expert Ane López will talk about the possibilities offered by the sizing tools for hydrogen production systems for industrial applications.
In addition, at its stand 11CL, located in the Euskadi Energy Cluster space, the centre will have different demonstrators that offer a sample of the potential of its capabilities and facilities to promote R&D in this field.
For example, visitors to the exhibition space will be able to get a close-up look at bipolar plates designed for the correct distribution of hydrogen and which incorporate a protective coating developed using PVD technology to prevent corrosion and increase their electrical conductivity.
“During the fair we will also be exhibiting our know-how in the design and optimisation of electrolysis cells, as well as different parts for hydrogen embrittlement tests”, adds Lucía Mendizabal.

Commitment to hydrogen
Tekniker’s presence at EHEC 2024 reinforces the technology centre’s firm commitment to hydrogen and its R&D contribution to the decarbonisation of industry.
To this end, the centre has a laboratory specifically designed for experiments with hydrogen technologies and is equipped with a 1 kW test bench that allows testing new components, materials and designs for proton membrane electrolysers (PEM), as well as the exploration of new control and integration strategies. In addition, the facility has a 5 kW demonstrator electrolyser for hydrogen generation.
Tekniker has also incorporated equipment to evaluate the effect on the mechanical properties of different materials exposed to pressurised hydrogen atmospheres, an electrochemical test bench to evaluate the permeability of materials to hydrogen and a reactor for the development and characterisation of hydrogen-bearing organic liquids.