German-dutch research programme on Electrochemical Materials and Processes for Green Hydrogen and Green Chemistry (ECCM)
A joint call for proposals by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy with the Dutch Research Council (NOW).
Both, Germany and the Netherlands have committed themselves to reducing their CO2 emissions to zero in the future. This poses an enormous technological and economic challenge for both countries, requiring increased use of renewable energy in all production sectors.
Green hydrogen can play a significant role in this. Germany and the Netherlands form one of the most powerful industrial clusters in the world. As such, they can contribute to accelerating the development of climate-neutral technologies through joint research efforts and close cooperation. Consequently, the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) join forces with the Dutch Research Council (NWO) in a call for research projects on electrochemical materials and processes for green hydrogen and green chemistry.
The call targets cooperation projects between German and Dutch partners that aim to develop highly innovative and relevant processes for green hydrogen and green chemistry. The focus of this funding is on technological innovation in the following areas:
- Electrolysis, including
- Hydrogen storage
- Power-to-X technologies
- Electrosynthesis
- Materials and catalysis
- Development and manufacturing processes for electrolysis systems
- System design and integration
The call for proposals was aimed at research institutions, universities and companies. The project ideas were to involve partners along the entire innovation chain, from research and industry to end users. The contributions of German and Dutch partners were to be balanced. Interdisciplinary research projects and the consideration of socio-economic and social aspects were expressly desired.
A panel of experts assembled by the Dutch Research Council and Project Management Jülich (PtJ) reviewed the proposals submitted and made recommendations for eligible projects. The BMWE, BMFTR and NWO Board followed these recommendations, and the corresponding projects were invited to submit their applications.
Following these recommendations, the BMWE, the BMFTR and the NWO Board selected and approved a total of six projects. The projects Wind to Hydrogen and HX-electrode are funded by the BMWE. The BMFTR is funding the projects Alkalimit, DIAMOND, ECOMET and Hydrogen4Tomorrow.
The projects started in 2024. On 7 June 2024, a kick-off conference of the Dutch-German initiative took place at the Dutch funding organization NWO in Utrecht, providing the consortia with an opportunity to get to know each other and explore initial steps for further networking and leveraging synergy potential.
Here is an overview of the BMFTR-funded projects:
Alkalimit aims to improve gas transport and bubble formation in alkaline water electrolysis, thereby reducing resistance losses. Alkalimit thus enables higher efficiency in alkaline electrolysis and contributes to the decarbonization of German and Dutch industry.
DIAMOND is developing an electrolysis cell with precious metal-free diamond electrodes that simultaneously produces carbon-containing chemicals on both sides of the cell. In one half-cell, formaldehyde is produced from CO2 and water. In the other half-cell, organic acids from biomass are oxidized and thus upgraded.
ECOMET is developing an electrolytic cell that produces synthetic methane from water vapour and CO2 in a single reaction step. As a special feature, the researchers use a proton-conducting ceramic as a membrane for this high-temperature reaction.
Hydrogen4Tomorrow combines electrolytic hydrogen production on the cathode side with energetically and economically more attractive anode reactions. Specifically, the focus is on the oxidation of starch or aldehydes.
News about the measure
Last updated on