CO2 neutrality is a step closer thanks to a battery that produces green hydrogen

The demand for green energy is increasing, also from industry. The Dutch start-up Battolyser Systems, a spin-off from TU Delft, is developing an integrated battery and electrolysis system that both stores energy and produces hydrogen from renewable energy. A revolutionary invention that brings an emission-free future closer. Dr. Pieter Levecque from Battolyser Systems speaks during the Power Electronics & Energy Storage event, on June 27 in 's-Hertogenbosch, about the development process of the Battolyser: from smart idea to producible prototype.

The Battolyser technology is not new, according to the Research Manager. “The technology is based on the iron-nickel battery, developed by Thomas Edison in the early 1900s. Edison discovered that this battery produces hydrogen when fully saturated. At the time he saw this as a disadvantage, but Professor Fokko Mulder from TU Delft actually saw the advantages. A century after Edison's discovery, he came up with the blueprint for the current Battolyser.”

Hydrogen battery
The 'hydrogen battery' stores excess renewable energy generated by, for example, solar panels or wind turbines. Soon after the battery starts charging, it produces hydrogen. Levecque: “You charge the battery when the energy is cheap and when the electricity is expensive, the Battolyser supplies electricity back to the grid. The hydrogen produced can be integrated into an industrial network or serve as energy storage. A sustainable and cost-effective solution.”

The Battolyser can immediately switch from hydrogen production to battery discharge. This is not only unique in the Netherlands but also worldwide. “The Battolyser combines the advantages of the traditional nickel-iron battery and hydrogen. This allows it to supply green hydrogen at the lowest possible rate,” said Levecque. Due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, there is great interest from the business community. “The Battolyser is very suitable for large industrial partnerships, such as wind turbines and solar parks, energy companies and the mining industry.”   

Pilot and prototype
On April 26, 2023, a pilot setup left for Eemshaven in a 6-meter-long shipping container. A big contrast with the lab setup with which Mulder conducted his first experiment about twenty years ago. Levecque: “Shipping this system was an important milestone that we are proud of. It means external recognition that we can deliver a functional and safe system. The next step is the prototype phase, the Battolyser 2, planned for mid-2024. In a year or two, when all research and testing has been completed, we want to further scale up to production and open a factory in Rotterdam.”   

Ambitious goals
To achieve these ambitious goals, help is needed from supply chainpartners have proven to be indispensable, Levecque explains. “It is no easy task to turn a great invention into a commercial product. It requires collaboration with partners throughout the chain and that did not happen automatically. We have consciously undertaken this journey to commercialization in the Netherlands with mainly Dutch companies. An example of this is the NL H2 Delta application for the Dutch National Growth Fund with twelve consortium partners to realize a hydrogen manufacturing industry. Thanks to the collaboration with commercial parties and subsidy providers, we gained access to the resources and expertise needed to bring the technology to the market.

The spirit of the times is favorable to the company because in order to achieve the European zero-emission targets of 2050, companies must really use energy differently. By 2025, Battolyser Systems hopes to be ready to produce the Battolyser on a large scale for the market.

Look behind the scenes
Pieter Levecque's presentation offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the technology behind the Battolyser. There will also be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and to personally meet the makers of this special technology. The visit to the presentation and the event is free of charge, but you must register in advance via the website: https://fhi.nl/powerelectronicsevent/