Olivia Linley

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysis: The Future of Sustainable Hydrogen

The project

Green hydrogen is expected to play a vital role in meeting upcoming Net Zero targets. It has the potential to decarbonise difficult-to-abate sectors, such as heavy-duty transport, steelmaking and aviation, by providing a clean alternative to fossil fuels. Produced through the electrochemical splitting of water, green hydrogen can be used in a fuel cell or hydrogen combustion engine to produce electricity with only water as a byproduct. 

Olivia's research focuses on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWEs), a key technology used to produce ultra-pure green hydrogen. Several crucial steps must be undertaken before an electrolyser is fully operational and working optimally. These processes are currently poorly understood, making it difficult to compare results between laboratories and often leading to wasted time, energy and resources. Different pre-operational procedures may influence the long-term durability of electrolyser components, some of which are comprised ot scarce and precious metals.

This project aims to clarify how pre-operational processes affect both initial performance and material degradation in PEMWEs, ultimately contributing to greener, more reliable and more cost-effective hydrogen production.