The LeanCEH project enters its final stages in the development of new electrochemical hydrogen compression systems

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The LeanCEH project (Industrial Research into Processes and Components for Electrochemical Hydrogen Compression and Purification Applications) is progressing in the development of solutions for hydrogen compression using electrochemical technology and is entering its final stages. The initiative is led by The Lean Hydrogen Company, in collaboration with the Advanced Centre for Aerospace Technologies (CATEC), and aims to overcome some of the limitations of conventional compression systems.

Compression is a necessary step for storing, transporting and using hydrogen in different applications. It is usually carried out using mechanical equipment, which requires moving parts and associated maintenance systems. As an alternative, LeanCEH is investigating the use of proton exchange polymer membranes to compress hydrogen without relying on moving mechanisms.

The importance of this development lies in the advantages offered by electrochemical compression over conventional mechanical systems: it does not require moving parts, prevents hydrogen contamination with oils and allows compression capacity to be increased through modular units, making it easier to adapt to different applications.

Furthermore, this technology is still relatively uncommon, with only a very small number of companies worldwide involved in its development. In this context, The Lean Hydrogen Company is strengthening its position as a developer of proprietary technology, building on years of R&D&I work and its commitment to technological autonomy. The LeanCEH project represents another step forward in this journey, with the aim of experimentally validating the technology and progressing towards its future manufacturing and commercialisation.

To this end, CATEC’s expertise in metal additive manufacturing is essential, as it enables the optimisation of compressor components, the development of complex geometries and the exploration of solutions that would be difficult to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods.

The project is at an advanced stage of development, with the test bench currently under construction. For the manufacture of the first prototype stacks, The Lean Hydrogen Company has selected the National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2), which develops and supplies essential components, including membranes and catalysts.

CNH2 will also carry out the assembly of these first stacks, which will incorporate components developed by CATEC during the project, specifically the bipolar plates and end plates. Subsequently, The Lean Hydrogen Company will test the prototypes on the test bench it is building, with the aim of experimentally validating the technology.

Funding

The LeanCEH project (PRH2CVAL4-C2-2023-000037) has received funding under the second call of Incentive Programme 4: challenges in basic and fundamental research, innovative pilot projects and training in key enabling technologies, which forms part of the support programmes for the innovative and knowledge-based renewable hydrogen value chain.

These grants are managed by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), a body attached to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.