HyER Power and AMELA receive JTF grant for innovative energy project

HyER Power and AMELA have been awarded a JTF grant to develop and implement an innovative Fuel Cell + Heat Pump system at a large chlorine-producing chemical company. With the project, the parties aim to help industrial companies make smarter use of energy, sustainability and grid congestion.

Both HyER Power and AMELA have been supported by FLIE in the past. Both companies commissioned research into the feasibility and potential of their innovations. It is great to see that these initiatives have not only continued, but that the two parties are now acting jointly in this ambitious energy project.

The project, implemented under the name ‘HyLICON’, combines HyER Power's hardware solution with AMELA's smart energy software. The industrial partner is acting as a pilot site within the project.

Smarter use of hydrogen, heat and electricity

At the heart of the project is an integrated energy system that converts hydrogen into both electricity and heat. The combination of a fuel cell and a heat pump creates a solution that can support industrial processes more efficiently and sustainably.

“Many industrial processes require both heat and electricity. Combining these smartly in one system creates a much more efficient solution,” says Sowande Boksteen, owner of AMELA.

For the company, the project represents an interesting business case because hydrogen streams are already available within the production process. These can be used with higher efficiency for its own energy supply.

Software and hardware combined

Within the project, HyER Power provides the hardware solution, while AMELA is responsible for the software layer and smart control of the system.

AMELA previously developed an energy platform that allows companies to calculate various energy scenarios on the basis of their own energy consumption data. This allows companies to better determine which sustainable energy solution is most interesting both financially and technically.

According to Boksteen, that is precisely where the added value of cooperation lies.

“Not only smart investment, but also smart operation and control is becoming increasingly important. With our software, we can control the system in real time based on energy prices, consumption and available capacity.”

Response to grid congestion and sustainability

The solution responds to several current challenges within the industry. Besides CO2 reduction, the system also helps companies become less dependent on the electricity grid.

“Many companies are currently stranded due to grid congestion. Expansion or sustainability sometimes takes years because there is insufficient capacity available. With this kind of system, you can balance energy behind the meter itself and switch faster.”

In addition, the system offers opportunities to be more flexible in energy markets. For example, companies can respond intelligently to fluctuating energy prices and thus develop new business models.

JTF grant as accelerator of innovation

The parties came across the JTF scheme through a grant specialist. According to Boksteen, it fits well with the phase the project is in.

“You need a certain technological maturity with this kind of innovation. Both the software and the fuel cell technology had been tested and demonstrated before. Thanks to this grant, we can now take the next step and validate the combined solution in practice.”

The grant also allows the parties to conduct a pilot together with an industrial end-user. This will allow the parties to further develop the technology and demonstrate its practical and economic value.