Project Zn-H2 started funded by BMBF

Project Abstract: An electrically chargeable galvanic hydrogen storage is to be developed to efficiently store electrical energy as metallic zinc. In this concept, during charging, water is oxidized to oxygen at the gas electrode and at the counter electrode zinc oxide is reduced to metallic zinc. During on-demand discharge of the storage cell zinc is converted back to zinc oxide while water is reduced at the gas electrode, to produce and release hydrogen. The electrical round trip efficiency is aimed at 50%, surpassing alternative power-to-gas technology (including storage 25%-30%). In the project extensive progress is planned to enhance the functionality of the system and to obtain application-oriented solutions. Particular focus points are in the field of bi-functional catalysts, the dendrite-free deposition of zinc layers and the process engineering design of the system for tuning the electrochemistry and intelligent electronic controls.