IRIDIOS – low-Iridium high efficiency MEA (membrane electrode assembly) for PEM electrolysis stack in MW range

Project partners	Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG LMU München (Chair of Physical Chemistry - Physical Chemistry and Nanoscience. Prof. Dr. Thomas Bein) FZ Jülich (Institut für Energie- und Klimaforschung (IEK)) TUM-TEC (Chair of Technical Electrochemistry - Prof. Gasteiger) ZAE e.V. Greenerity GmbH H-TEC Systems
Fundeding	Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
Duration	March 2023 until September 2025
Contact	Andrea Cadavid Isaza

IRIDIOS project 

Upscaling of MEA production based on the concepts developed in the funded project Kopernikus P2X and consideration of the techno-ecological effects. Application of these low-Ir, high-efficiency MEAs in the demonstrator in the parallel project PEP.IN to validate the short-stack tests from the previous project. Identification of the effects occurring in the field and investigation on laboratory level - single cell and short stack - for further explanation and better correlation of the scale effects. Furthermore, exploiting the flexibility of the simplified stack exchange in the PEP.IN project to test further component alternatives and adaptations such as IrOx catalysts on tailored highly structured support materials.

Tasks at TUM-ENS

The project is preparing an environmental and sustainability assessment of the production expansion of the PEM electrolyzer to the GW level. The project will analyze the challenges of technology, raw materials, sustainability and ecology. A second-life consideration of components and materials is of great importance in this context. In addition, a path for a circular economy in the electrolyzer sector will be identified and analyzed.