The THUNDERSTACK project has officially kicked off in Helsinki, with the kickoff meeting hosted by Tampere University. Representatives from the consortium gathered to align on the project’s technical roadmap and innovation strategy, including Sofia Paulo Mirasol, who attended the meeting on behalf of Leitat.
This European project addresses key challenges in green hydrogen production using high-temperature solid oxide electrolysers (SOELs).
According to IRENA’s 1.5 °C Scenario, a significant expansion of electrolysers is required by 2030 and 2050. However, SOEL technology faces major challenges, including material degradation, high costs, and system instability. THUNDERSTACK aims to overcome these challenges through:
Development of advanced materials to reduce degradation and improve circularity
Innovative AC:DC operation strategies for optimal thermal control
Optimization of manufacturing processes and balance-of-plant (BoP) components to reduce CAPEX and OPEX
Accelerated stress testing and advanced modeling to predict and mitigate degradation
Through these solutions, THUNDERSTACK aims to make renewable hydrogen a viable and cost-effective energy vector, supporting Europe’s transition to clean and sustainable energy.
Leitat is responsible for tasks involving the leaching and recovery of Critical Raw Materials using highly efficient membrane technology, and also promotes circularity through a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
