"Energy transition: decarbonizing hydrogen production" - November 28, 2024, Thursday, 3:00 pm, Pavilhão de Mecânica II, amphitheatre AM

Date: November 28, 2024, Thursday
Time: 3:00 pm
Place: Pavilhão de Mecânica II, amphitheatre AM _{(available for this event at 3:00 pm, but not earlier)}

• Speaker: Luís Castanheira (Technology Manager, NHMP Advanced Fuels)

• Title: "Energy transition: decarbonizing hydrogen production"

• Abstract:

The decarbonization of hydrogen production processes has been recognized by European governments as a fundamental need to combat two structural aspects of our society: firstly, the need to contribute to the decarbonization targets, with the aim of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions in various industries and, secondly, to overcome the current energy crisis triggered by the Russian Federation, reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthening the energy security of the European Union (EU). These points are widely discussed in the European plans of RepowerEU, Green Deal and the European Hydrogen Strategy.
PEM electrolysis is one of the most promising technologies to produce green hydrogen, essential for the transition to a low-carbon economy. First, an overview of the hydrogen industry will be presented, highlighting the strategic role of hydrogen as an energy vector and its applications in sectors such as transportation, energy and heavy industries. Next, it will be given the opportunity to understand the principles of hydrogen production by PEM electrolysis, an electrochemical process that uses electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen/oxygen, which is a clean solution when powered by renewable sources. Another key point to be addressed is the current challenges facing PEM technologies. The main difficulties facing the technology will be discussed, such as the durability of membranes, the high cost of catalytic materials (often based on noble metals) and the challenges of scalability for industrial applications. This Seminar will conclude with a discussion of mechanical engineering applied to PEM electrolysis, emphasizing how engineering can contribute to overcoming the technology's technical limitations. Issues such as the development of new materials, optimization of systems and improvements in the design of electrolysis cells will be addressed, highlighting the fundamental role of mechanical engineers in advancing this technology.

• Short Biographic Note:

Luís Castanheira holds an Integrated Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials, granted by the University of Minho and a PhD in Electrochemistry and Materials, from the University of Grenoble. His professional experience includes a long career as a Research Engineer at LEPMI and AXANE - Fuel Cell Systems (Air Liquide), where he began his career in hydrogen technologies. In 2015 Luís Castanheira joined the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in London, where he developed projects related to the investigation of PEM fuel cells and PEM water electrolysis, manufacture and characterization of CCMs/MEAs and diagnostic methods for electrochemical technologies. He participated in the creation of the materials team at Symbio, a Michelin and Faurecia joint venture in fuel cell technologies, where he progressed to Technical Expert before joining Fusion Fuel in 2021. Luís Castanheira was Director of Electrochemistry at Fusion Fuel Portugal from 2021 to 2024, where he established R&D facilities for PEM technologies, technically supported the teams and defined the technological strategies of the electrochemical cores. Currently, he has joined the consultancy company NHMP Advanced Fuels, as Technology Manager, to support new industries in the area of hydrogen technologies.

This is another Seminar of the "Seminars@DEM" cycle.
Next Seminar, December 12, 2024, Thursday, 3:00 pm.