Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS
Bundling of complementary competencies along the H2 value chain
Together with Korean scientists, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS has been researching the import of green hydrogen since 2020. In September 2022, the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Hydrogen Energy at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology laid the foundation for in-depth cooperation with partners in South Korea. The FIP-H2ENERGY@KENTECH is based at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) in Naju, South Korea.
During the initial term of five years, the Fraunhofer IMWS and five other Fraunhofer Institutes are working together with Korean scientists at KENTECH on the development of technologies along the entire hydrogen value chain. The Fraunhofer IMWS is the lead institute in this project and is contributing its expertise in the areas of material characterization and developments for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis as well as in photovoltaic-driven hydrogen production. The additional involvement of the five Fraunhofer Institutes - Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT and Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES - means that the very different competencies of the individual institutes involved in this broad field of technology are pooled.
KENTECH, which was founded in 2021 and focuses on applied energy sciences, is set to become the leading institute for hydrogen research in South Korea in the coming years and will contribute its experience in the field of hydrogen liquefaction in particular to the collaboration. The scientists will conduct joint research into hydrogen logistics. The focus will be on various aspects of the production, conversion or liquefaction, transportation and use of green hydrogen.
In February 2024, the Fraunhofer IMWS and the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences signed a cooperation agreement with KENTECH to intensify collaboration on hydrogen topics, for example through joint projects and events.