Memberships & Publications

To fight the climate change, hydrogen plays an important role as a transportable carrier of energy. However, in order to make the turnaround happen, a lot of challenges need to be taggled and solved, beginning with producing the amount of hydrogen needed to fulfill the energy demand.

Hydrogen Systems

Memberships

Today, most electrolytic hydrogen is produced via Alkaline Electrolysis. However, one single technology will not be sufficient to cover the complete demand. All technologies need to be employed in the best possible way. That is why Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis will play a particularly important role, especially in terms of production of Green Hydrogen. It is best suited to convert the fluctuating energy output of renewable energies, such as solar, hydro and wind energy.

For the mentioned PEM electrolysis precious metals are required – some of them being very scarce, like iridium – and they will be needed in significant quantities. Also, sequential processes like the purification of hydrogen, or the conversion into other forms for easier storage and transport, require precious metals.

Thus, precious metals are indispensable for the Hydrogen Revolution, and therefore the hydrogen ramp-up requires a raw material strategy. This strategy needs to cover three important aspects:

  • Innovations to maximize the hydrogen output with the available raw materials or cover them with high performance alternatives, such as the Heraeus low-iridium materials
  • Strategies to secure the supply with scarce materials like iridium and to manage the specific challenges like high price volatility with advanced precious metals trading services
  • Additional capacities and workflows for the recycling of end-of-life materials to recover precious metals to establish a sustainable raw materials loop.

As a precious metals specialist, Heraeus is a skilled partner with high expertise in all necessary fields and has been investing significantly in R&D and hydrogen recycling. What is more, we are actively engaging in the Hydrogen Community, contributing to make the Hydrogen Revolution happen.

Heraeus is a member of various organizations that engage themselves in the Hydrogen economy, among others in Global Energy SolutionsHydrogen EuropeAmmonia Energy Association and European Clean Hydrogen Alliance.

As well, we are actively taking part in several projects to accelerate the development of solutions that enable the hydrogen ramp up.

Recommended publications

You are interested in deep-diving into Hydrogen related topics? We recommend the following publications.

Published

Title

Topic

Author

Jan 2024 Länderanalyse 2023 – Internationale Wasserstoff-Strategien im Vergleich  (country analysis 2023 – international strategies for hydrogen in comparision) Country roadmaps, transportation routes, costs

Wasserstoff-Kompass

DECHEMA, acatech
Sep 23 Global Hydrogen Review 2023 Comparison H2 and applications IEA
Aug 2023 Site-specific, comparative analysis for suitable Power-to-X pathways and products in developing and emerging countries Power-to-X comparison, Energy Input sources, costs of products and plants, global view and global transport ways Fraunhofer ISE, H2Global Stiftung
Aug 2023 A Comparative Study on the Activity and Stability of Iridium-Based Co-Catalysts for Cell Reversal Tolerant PEMFC Anodes Material innovation for PEM fuel cells Robert Maric et al 2023 J. Electrochem. Soc.
Jul 2023 Fortschreibung der Nationalen Wasserstoffstrategie  (Continuation of the National Hydrogen Strategy) National Hydrogen Strategy Germany Federal Ministry for Education and Research, Germany
May 2023 Hydrogen Insights 2023 state of the global hydrogen economy Hydrogen Council (McK)
Mar 2023 Supply chain analysis and material demand forecast in strategic technologies and sectors in the EU – A foresight study Raw materials and supply chain Joint Research Centre, EUC
Feb 2023 Preiselastische Wasserstoffnachfrage in Deutschland – Methodik und Ergebnisse  (Price-elastic hydrogen demand in Germany - Methodology and results) Market Potential of Green Hydrogen HYPAT / Fraunhofer ISI
Dec 2022 Sufficiency, sustainability and circularity of critical materials for clean hydrogen Critical Raw Materials for Hydrogen World Bank / Hydrogen Council
Jan 2022 Mineralische Rohstoffe für die Wasserelektrolyse – Themenheft  (Mineral raw materials for water electrolysis) Availability of critical raw materials DERA
Jan 2022 Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation - The Hydrogen Factor Geopolitical Role of H2 IRENA
Nov 2021 Hydrogen Net-Zero - A critical cost-competitive energy vector H2 Economy Scale Up
HydrogenCouncil (McK)
Okt 2021 Cost forecast for low temperature electrolysis – technology driven bottom-up prognosis for PEM and alkaline water electrolysis systems Tech-open comparison PEM vs. Alkaline
Clean Air Task Force (FH ISE)
Sep 2021 Roadmap towards zero emissions - The complementary role of BEVs and FCEVs BEVS and FCEVs not or
HydrogenCouncil (McK)
Jan 2021 Hydrogen Decarbonization Pathways Hydrogen and Decarbonization
HydrogenCouncil (McK)

Your Contact for Hydrogen Memberships & Publications

Steffen KitzingElectrocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation & Consumption, Coatings of Components, Recycling
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