DLR at Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe 2024 in Hamburg
Hydrogen will play an important role in the sustainable transformation of transport, energy supply and industry. At Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe from 23 to 24 October 2024 in Hamburg, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) will be presenting current topics and projects from its hydrogen research - from production to storage and use - at its booth in Hall 4, Stand 4I35.
Climate-friendly mobility and infrastructure
DLR is investigating how hydrogen can be stored as efficiently and safely as possible and transported over long distances. It develops innovative drive systems for mobile use and integrates them into the respective overall systems, be it cars, buses, lorries, cargo bikes, trains, aircraft or ships. At the trade fair, DLR will be exhibiting carbon fibre-reinforced tanks with integrated sensors for use in fuel-cell vehicles and trains. DLR has developed an intelligent sensor system to operate hydrogen systems safely and at the same time detect hydrogen leaks as early as possible. With the help of a central control unit, it records data in real time and analyses it directly. The leaks are currently visualised using a "heat map". In future versions, machine learning processes could be used to further increase accuracy.
DLR is also researching how hydrogen can be integrated into the energy infrastructure in terms of process technology and material technology aspects. These include storage and transport, as well as the question of what influence both have on the quality of the hydrogen. Another research topic is investigating whether and how existing natural gas infrastructure can also be utilised with hydrogen. To this end, DLR is showing a section of a pipeline made of H2-ready steel that is suitable for use as a hydrogen pipeline.
Hydrogen for sustainable shipping
DLR is in the process of procuring a modular research vessel. It will be used to test various alternative propulsion systems, for example based on fuel cells, combustion engines with alternative fuels and batteries. This floating demonstrator is intended to advance the development of systems and components for propulsion systems in inland and maritime shipping so that they can be used worldwide in the future. A unique feature of this ship is that it will have various research stations and can be flexibly customised to test different components. This way, DLR can support players from the maritime industry, such as ship owners and shipyards, but also politicians, in making decisions on promising new ship concepts. At the trade fair, DLR will be presenting a model of the ship as a preview.
Chemical products from "green" hydrogen
The sea offers a wide range of possibilities for generating electricity from renewable resources. However, transporting this electricity to land is very expensive, depending on the length of the power lines. There is therefore great potential to generate this energy in the form of "green" hydrogen directly in offshore plants and then transport it. In general, other chemical products could also be produced from wind energy, hydrogen, seawater and CO2 in this way in the future. At its stand, DLR will provide an insight into how such plants could be developed and operated. One focus will be on research into various synthesis technologies, particularly with regard to the utilisation of different electrolysis technologies and their potential in offshore operations.
Gas diffusion electrodes for fuel cells and electrolysers
Gas diffusion electrodes are the main component of electrochemical energy technologies such as fuel cells and electrolysers. There is currently an industrial need to further develop and improve these electrodes. This is because their properties are crucial for the performance and service life of renewable energy technologies. The half-cell on display is used to assess the further development of these electrodes in industry and science quickly, easily, cheaply and with limited material costs. DLR has adapted and further developed the cell: it can be used flexibly for fuel cells and electrolysers as well as for CO2 reduction and nitrogen reduction in the context of ammonia synthesis.