Evaluation of different hydrogen-based propulsion technologies

Currently, there is a big amount of possible hydrogen-based drive systems for the mobility sector. However, which one is ecologically and economically best suited for which application technologies?

The project EnergyHyWy tries to find answers to these questions by a comparative energy efficiency and ecologic evaluation. Therefore, a consideration along the entire life cycle of hydrogen applications, from production to the end application in mobility (see graphic below), takes place. It is expected that also hydrogen imports will play an important role with the CO2 reduction in Austria. That is why the analysis also includes a separate assessment of the storage and logistic paths for the different production sites (Austria and overseas).

The project focuses on the ammonia system where the achievable hydrogen quality is considered during the reconversion of hydrogen by ammonia cracking. Furthermore, the potential estimation of the direct ammonia use in a high-temperature fuel cell (SOFC) or in an ammonia fuel cell (DAFC) is carried out. Relevant safety aspects are evaluated in the project, especially for the use of ammonia as a hydrogen and energy carrier. Also, concrete precautions for a safe transport of ammonia are defined.

The innovation of the project is the evaluation of new technologies which provide hydrogen or hydrogen-based fuels for mobility. These new technologies should enable mobility, which is energy efficient, climate friendly and safer than the common ways.

The achieved results contribute to better decision-making for the further development of hydrogen production plants and the extension of the necessary infrastructure. An ecological and economic assessment as well as the identification of possible improvements of the hydrogen paths based on technological developments are just as relevant for the development of a sustainable mobility sector as the early detection of implementation barriers. The project contributes to closing current research gaps.

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• OMV Downstream GmbH
  Consortium leader, project management and technology and concept development of the energy paths
• Borealis Agrolinz Melamine GmbH
  Technology and concept development of the energy paths
• HyCentA Research GmbH
  Technical and economic assessment of the energy paths
• Energieinstitut an der JKU Linz
  Ecological and socio-technical evaluation of the energy paths
• WIVA P&G
  Exploitation of project results and future implementations, use of synergy potentials within the flagship region