POLITO

Founded in 1859, Politecnico di Torino (POLITO) is a leading university in Italy and in Europe in the field of technical-scientific research. POLITO is a center of excellence for education and. Thanks to its interdisciplinary outlook, POLITO is able to combine different engineering disciplines within materials science to promote the development of new advanced energy materials. POLITO has expertise in the development, characterization and testing of electrochemical and thermochemical processes and technologies for energy conversion, with special focus in projects related to hydrogen processes and technologies. POLITO was co-founder in 2008 of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (now Clean Hydrogen) and has developed around 30 FP7 + H2020 projects in the domain of FCH, with around 10 in coordination. POLITO manages several laboratories in the domain of FCH, from basic research at low TRL to applied research at TRL6, with around 150+ researchers involved in this research domain.

With extensive relevant experience in the field, garnered from previous involvement in analogous EU projects, the ELECTROLIFE initiative seamlessly aligns with our research and dissemination objectives. We are enthusiastic about continuing our support for advancements in clean energy transition, particularly within the realm of the hydrogen economy. POLITO assumes leadership of the coordination team for ELECTROLIFE, contributing to its success and the attainment of its ambitious goals, while fortifying connections within the electrolysis sector across academia and industry.

Furthermore, Politecnico di Torino has long championed sustainability principles across its spectrum of activities, encompassing teaching, research, outreach, and campus management. The ELECTROLIFE endeavor mirrors this commitment by strategically integrating sustainability principles into its framework, in harmony with the Sustainable Development Goals, thereby fostering a shared and systemic approach.

In the ELECTROLIFE project, POLITO will lead various pivotal tasks. These encompass the development of testing methodologies, the assessment of degradation mechanisms across all electrolysis technologies, and the utilization of physical models to understand degradation behaviors in both stable and fluctuating conditions. Additionally, POLITO will harness its extensive instrumentation to analyze electrolyzer components, evaluating materials at the BoL and BoL. Furthermore, POLITO will oversee testing of AEMEL (Alkaline Exchange Membrane Electrolysis) and PCCEL (Proton Conducting Ceramic Electrolysis) technologies within its infrastructure. This testing will facilitate a comprehensive investigation of degradation mechanisms at relevant Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), particularly under operational conditions. Thus, these efforts will significantly contribute to the project’s objectives and the advancement of electrolyzer longevity.