Hydrogen

Within key innovation ecosystems in the maritime sector and the process industry, NORCE and UiA have taken key positions in the regional, national and international hydrogen economy. Working inter-disciplinary across the hydrogen value chain our key contributions focus on how to enable and speed up the green energy transition with hydrogen as one of the key components in the renewable energy systems. We help stakeholders with the insight, modelling and monitoring needed to understand, validate and make informed decisions on viable developments and investments. Our support for innovative, safe, resilient and trusted solutions is integral part of the research.

Hydrogen in the energy system

Regarding energy systems, we have expertise in

* Modelling and simulation of energy systems * Concepts for specific and integrated energy solutions
* Instrumentation and monitoring of energy systems * Life cycle assessments of energy systems (LCA analyses)
* The use of artificial intelligence in energy systems * Sosial embeddeness
* Materials applied for sustainable energy systems.

In addition to working with energy system solutions as a whole, we are also working on solutions related to specific energy sources such as geothermal, solar, wind and hydrogen.

Regarding hydrogen we investigate the integrated in terms of energy storage (electrolysis) to balance demand and generation via fluctuating renewables to for exampel decarbonize geographical islands. Here the Hydrogen can than be used for backup power generation or transport or use in industrial applications. Also by-products of the electrolysis process are evaluated to be integrated like for waste heat for example in district heating systems or other processes and oxygen form example in aquaculture.

Contact: Peter Breuhaus,Project eaxmples: ELEXIA, ROBINSON

Further more we are researching how to reuse depleted oil and gas reservoirs for energy storage to balance the variability in wind energy as the primary power supply, as part of the electrification solution for offshore installations.

Contact: Sarah Eileen Gasda Project eaxmples: HYPE, CSSR

Regarding materials applied for sustainable energy systems, we research on materials that can convert energy from one type to another and which are the cornerstones in a future fully electrified society; batteries, fuel cells, solar cells and thermoelectrics. In this field we have strong cooperating with the Norwegian Catapult Centre "Future Materials".

Contact: Gunstein Skomedal

Industrial use of Hydrogen

We investigate industrial processes, where the use of Hydrogen can contribute to a reduction of CO2 emissions. The hydrogen may be used either for its chemical properties or as an energy carrier. NORCE is involved in several projects, that utilize Hydrogen for producing usable products from Carbon containing biproducts (incl. CO2).

Contact: Ulrik Thisted

Project examples:
H2Si
FME HyValue

Hydrogen for maritime transport

We are conducting research with the aim of achieving hydrogen-powered vessels with energy-efficient operation. NORCE also supports the industry in developing infrastructure for testing and qualification of the entire value chain in which liquid hydrogen is used for maritime transport.

Contact: Ellen Nordgård-Hansen, Geir Nævdal,

Project examples:
Zero Emission Small Ship
Energy efficient operation of hydrogen powered vessels

Public acceptance of hydrogen technologies

Societal acceptance of hydrogen technologies: Hydrogen has the potential to contribute to the decarbonisation of many areas of industry and transport, and is something that will affect many of us. Our goal is to assess and communicate environmental and health risks associated with the use of hydrogen, while at the same time trying to maximise societal benefits.

Contact: Kari Kjestveit

Project examples:
Liquid hydrogen to decarbonise maritime transport in Norway

Distribution of hydrogen

We do research on efficient and flexible transport and distribution systems for hydrogen based energy carriers at different scales. In close cooperation with industry partners we also contribute to develop robust and traceable metering solutions for custody transfer of hydrogen through various supply chains.

Contact: Kjetil Folgerø, Antonie Oosterkamp, Ingvar Henne

Project examples:
Reliable metering for the hydrogen supply chain (HyMe)
Met4H2 - Metrology for the hydrogen supply cahin
FME HyValue

Microbial hydrogen production

Many different microbes can produce hydrogen, and these grow on a variety of different substrates, waste and raw materials. We want to understand which growth conditions and waste types are the most beneficial for efficient microbial production of hydrogen. We are therefore also investigating the possibility of activating bacteria in underground structures that are relevant for existing reservoirs.

Contact Nicole Dopffel

Projectexamples:

Geological storage of hydrogen

Underground storage in geological formations is one of the options for storing H₂ on a large scale. Depleted gas and oil reservoirs, artificial salt caves, deep aquifers, hard rock caves and abandoned mines are possible storage sites. For all these areas, we need to better understand the processes and consequences involved in the storage of hydrogen, including microbial consumption, chemical reactions, physical flow properties and geological suitability. At NORCE, we have the necessary expertise to carry out field-specific and general research for the development of underground storage sites.

Contact: Nicole Dopffel

Projectexamples:
Biorisk evaluation of the HyPSTER salt cavern
FME HyValue