Hydrogen: adapting to the demand for energy

Hydrogen today: clean production

Although hydrogen is extremely plentiful on earth, pure hydrogen is virtually non-existent, so, it must be produced before it can be used. 

For decades, hydrogen has been produced industrially using chemical processes which emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

AREVA is revolutionizing this industry by developing clean hydrogen production. The solutions proposed by the group in fact use water electrolysis, powered by CO₂-free electricity. So, they do not generate greenhouse gases.

Combining hydrogen - fuel cells

The hydrogen can be stored to produce electricity anywhere at any time, without necessarily being connected to a power grid, with high performance. By coupling the production of hydrogen and its storage in a fuel cell, it is, in fact, possible to design independent energy management systems.

Used alone or in hybrid systems, the fuel cells guarantee the continuity of the supply of electricity, in the medium and long term, even in difficult environments.

This technology provides responses to specific needs, such as:

• Stationary power plant supply applications:
  • backup units,
  • hybrid systems combining hydrogen with other renewable energy sources: the hydrogen produced is stored and then redistributed in the event of a peak in consumption.
• On-board generators for public transport, freight or inhabited submarines.

Training, to spread the technology

To contribute to the training in this new technology, AREVA has developed a kit dedicated to higher education incorporating:

•  The instruction content,
• A digital simulator,
• A well-equipped experiment bench.

This kit equips schools such as the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) (National Institute of Applied Sciences) or the École nationale supérieure d’électricité et de mécanique (ENSEM) (National College of Electricity and Mechanics), technological university institutes and research centers (CEA, GDF).

AREVA at the heart of research programs

AREVA is involved, with different industrial companies and national research organizations of the hydrogen field, in the following programs:

• "Hydrogen and Fuel Cells" of the Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (National Research Agency): this ambitious program aims to promote fuel cell and hydrogen technology, as well as its application in the motor industry.
• Horizon Hydrogen Power (H2E): this program focuses on the experimental development then industrial development of fuel cell technology. It brings together French industrial groups, SMEs and research laboratories.
• ELHYPSE: performed in association with several units within AREVA and the academic partners CEA and RISOE, this program enables the development and performance testing of proprietary hydrogen production technology through protonic and anionic electrolysis, with excellent results in the laboratory and initial stacks.