Development and validation of innovative approaches, catalysts, electrolytes and components for electrolysis technologies based on low-quality water

Expected Outcome:The European Union has a set of policies aimed at preventing water scarcity, putting a special emphasis on reusing treated water. This approach is recognised in Regulation (EU) 2020/741[1], which promotes reclaimed water as an alternative source to reduce the pressure on conventional resources. In addition, the newly adopted Wastewater Directive (EU) 2024/3019[2] raises the bar for effluent quality and treatment efficiency and introduces the requirement for quaternary treatment[3] in large wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by 2045. As higher standards for reclaimed water are required by law and the need for energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy integrations increases, the water sector appears as an ideal partner to develop innovative solutions that valorise regenerated water, while increasing the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater systems. Hydrogen production by water electrolysis can handle both objectives. This technology can evolve to utilise lower-quality water streams and/or take advantage of the relatively high-quality effluents resulting from water treatments. This positions water electrolysis as a strategic production pathway in a scalable and sustainable hydrogen value chain based on diverse water sources. Utilising reclaimed water in electrolysis processes not only reduces freshwater demand but also promotes circularity. However, an important effort is still needed to implement robust water electrolysis technologies that can handle the complexity of different water qualities even in the best scenarios. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of how the low-grade water impurities interact with water electrolysis technologies, and to which grade lower requirements treatments could be sufficient in each application, is still missing. Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:Contributing to keeping European leadership for hydrogen production including innovative embedded approaches