Science & Technology
The EPISTORE project is conceived as a cluster of activities leveraging transdisciplinary expertise to boost a new technological paradigm by consolidating its underpinnings and the research and innovation communities around it.
The topical approach addresses the technology from complementary perspectives:
Development of advanced theoretical and characterization tools.
A building block of knowledge on specific advanced tools and methods to analyse mass transport phenomena occurring in the nanoscale will be defined, with special attention to: i) development of spatial- and time-resolved characterization techniques for in situ/in operando conditions; ii) development of new screening tools iii) use of theoretical and computation approaches to consolidate the understandings derived from novel experimental data and new materials search.
Fundamental research on nanoscale phenomena and thin films
High performing electrodes and electrolyte for low temperature SOEC will be studied. In particular, it will be focused on developing:
Electrolyte (ASR < 0.03Ωcm2 at T<500˚C)
i) low resistance TF electrolytes stable under high current density and high electrical fields (>3A/cm2 and >10kV/cm) and ii) highly conductive electrolytes based on HEO (σ>0.01 S/cm at T<300ºC); iii) protective coatings.
Electrodes (ASR<0.03Ωcm2 at <T=500˚C)
i) enhanced thin film electrodes by engineering VANs; ii) new MIECs based on HEO; iii) enhanced ceramic electrodes by ex-solution in VANs and HEO, especially designed for co-electrolysis; iv) protective coatings.
Foundation of the TF-rSOC technology enabled by MNTs
Microtechnology will be used for the fabrication and characterization of transferable TF-SOECs on silicon substrates The objective is three-fold: i) develop a transferable μm-thick functional silicon skin; ii) optimize wafer-scale deposition of advanced thin film electrolytes and electrodes; iii) to prove an excellent performance in SOEC mode (j>3A/cm2 at 1.3V and T<600ºC for water electrolysis and steam/CO2 co-electrolysis).
Design of kW-range modular stacks and P2G and P2P application scenarios
The main goal of this WP is to develop a building block of technology on integration and application of ultra-compact TF-rSOC in stacks for real applications in EES. This includes: i) the design and fabrication of 1kW-range pocket size TF-rSOC stack; ii) Performance and degradation of the stack in fuel cell, electrolysis and co-electrolysis modes at different T=400-700ºC and pressure (1-5 bar) for 1000h.
Economic & environmental aspects for future market introduction
EPISTORE will lead a pioneering multidisciplinary community that will open future market opportunities. The new technology paradigm is conceived for mass production, which will increase the opportunities of near-future commercialization of several key enabling technologies (KET) enabled products, creation of new IPR and generation of highly qualified jobs. Also, great environmental benefits are expected due to the direct substitution of fossil fuels and radical reduction of rare and toxic materials.