HyCARE · An innovative approach for renewable energy storage by a combination of hydrogen carriers and heat storage

The main objective of the HyCARE project is the development of a prototype hydrogen storage tank with use of a solid-state hydrogen carrier on large scale. The tank will be based on an innovative concept, joining hydrogen and heat storage, in order to improve energy efficiency of the whole system. The developed tank will be installed in the site of ENGIE LAB CRIGEN, which is a research and operational expertise center dedicated to gas, new energy sources and emerging technologies. The center and its 350 staff are located at Plaine Saint-Denis and Alfortville in the Paris Region (F). In particular, the solid-state hydrogen tank will be installed in a Living Lab aimed to develop and explore innovative energy storage solutions. The developed tank will be joined with a PEM electrolyzer as hydrogen provider and a PEM fuel cell as hydrogen user.The following goals are planned in HyCARE:- High quantity of stored hydrogen >= 50 kg- Low pressure < 50 bar and low temperature < 100°C- Low foot print, comparable to liquid hydrogen storage- Innovative design- Hydrogen storage coupled with thermal energy storage- Improved energy efficiency- Integration with an electrolyser (EL) and a fuel cell (FC)- Demonstration in real application- Improved safety- Techno-economical evaluation of the innovative solution- Analysis of the environmental impact via Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)- Exploitation of possible industrial applications- Dissemination of results at various levels- Engagement of local people and institution in the demonstration site