Electrochemical cells are important in an environmentally friendly and sustainable energy system. That is why the Programme Commission on Energy and Environment under the Danish Council for Strategic Research has granted 25 mill. Dkr. to the Strategic Electrochemistry Research Centre - SERC. The centre is located at Risø and professor Mogens Mogensen is the head of centre. The centre, holding a kick-off meeting on 9 March, consists of universities and industrial partners.
Electrochemical cells are used for fuel cells which produce power from hydrogen or natural gas in a very effective manner. Electrochemical cells are also used as electrolytic cells which are able to produce hydrogen from excess power. They may be used for the purification of exhaust gases, for a so-called electrochemical filter, and as gas sensors. In every way these cells contribute to a more effective utilization of energy and less pollution.
The research in this field has come a long way, but if prices are to go down, a basic knowledge of the electrochemical processes in the cells is needed. With the intensive research of the centre, the scientists hope to find cheaper electrode materials and new combinations of material.
”The centre has strengthened the research within this field, and this year we are hiring eight young scientists. Three of them have already started at Risø, and we are going to hire the other five as quickly as possible”, says Mogens Mogensen. On 9 March the centre is holding a kick-off meeting at Risø where the participants of the project are going to get to know each other.
The centre is going to carry out basic research where it is clear how the knowledge can be utilized. The projects must involve the ”Proof of Concept”, ensuring that the companies will go on working with the results.
”It is important to have many industrial partners in the centre to clarify their needs and interests”, says Mogens Mogensen.
The participants of this project are DTU, SDU, Lund Universitet, PBI-Dansensor A/S, Dinex A/S, IRD Fuel Cells A/S, DONG Energy, Videometer A/S, DME - Danish Micro Engineering A/S, Haldor Topsøe A/S, Topsoe Fuel Cells A/S. |