Optimisation of hydrogen fuelling station operation and maintenance to maximise performance and resilience of key infrastructure

This project is in collaboration with ITM Power , who are leading the sector in the design and deployment of electrolyser based hydrogen solutions, including hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS). The deployment of early-to-the-market plants provides the opportunity to optimise not only the operation of the existing plants but to also improve the design of next generation fuelling stations. It is obviously desirable to maximise performance of the HRS not just for economic reasons, but in order to deliver the best customer experience. This project seeks to optimise the plant operation, where planning preventative maintenance can help reduce disruption to service and improve the commercial case of a plant. There are two approaches being proposed for the project:
1. Component-based asset management
Investigation of the individual "components" (such as electrolyser, refrigerator system, compressor, etc.), analysing their operational, maintenance and fault data. Looking at the performance of a "component", we can identify how long it will be before a failure occurs and then recommend a preventative maintenance schedule. Operational parameters (e.g. flow rates, temperature, pressure, power demand, etc.) can provide early indications of a failure event in the near future when the component is no longer within normal operational parameters and identify any requirement for unscheduled preventative maintenance. The project will analyse existing plant data using pattern recognition and machine learning methods to look for early signs of failure.

2. System-based asset management
Taking a more system-wide or network-wide approach can help improve resilience. In a system we need to understand redundancies between components, as one component failure can be compensated by a redundant component. Where there is no or limited redundancy, a cost benefit analysis will be undertaken to guide future design principles for resilient HRS. In a network, there is a need to understand where the stations are located and what are the effects to reliable delivery if one fails. This analysis will help guide strategic clustering of HRS defining the density and optimised geographic location.
To model a system or a network, a suitable alternative to a more traditional Fault Tree Analysis method would be a Petri net-based approach. It would be used to simulate system performance and evaluate its resilience when failures occur.

The approach taken (or a blend from the above) will be tailored to the successful candidate's expertise and interests. The project will involve periods of working at ITM Power, either at their new factory in Sheffield or at one of their HRS, to facilitate effective knowledge transfer between the University research group and the experts at ITM Power.

The RI self-assessment of an individual's research projects will mean that the cohort have a high degree of understanding of the potential beneficial impact from their research on the economy, society and the environment. This then places the cohort as the best ambassadors for the CDT, hence most pathways to impact are through the students, facilitated by the CDT.

Industrial impact of this CDT is in working closely together with key industry players across the hydrogen sector, including through co-supervision, mentoring of doctoral students and industry involvement in CDT events. Our industrial stakeholders include those working on hydrogen production (ITM Power, Hydrogen Green Power, Pure Energy) and distribution (Northern Gas, Cadent), storage (Luxfer, Haydale, Far UK), safety (HSL, Shell, ITM Power), low carbon transport (Ulemco, Arcola Energy), heat and power (Bosch, Northern Gas).

Policy impact of the CDT research and other activities will occur through cohort interactions with local authorities (Nottingham City Council) and LEPs (LLEP, D2N2) through the CDT workshops and conference. A CDT in Parliament day will be facilitated by UKHFCA (who have experience in lobbying the government on behalf of their members) and enable the cohort to visit the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST), BEIS and to meet with local MPs. Through understanding the importance of evidence gathering by Government Departments and the role this has in informing policy, the cohort will be encouraged to take the initiative in submitting evidence to any relevant requests for evidence from POST.

Public impact will be achieved through developing knowledge-supported interest of public in renewable energy in particular the role of hydrogen systems and infrastructure. Special attention will be paid to demonstration of safety solutions to prove that hydrogen is not more or less dangerous compared to other fuels when it is dealt with professionally and systems are engineered properly. The public, who are ultimate beneficiaries of hydrogen technologies, will be engaged through different communication channels and the CDT activities to be aware of our work. We will communicate important conclusions of the CDT research at regional, national, and international events as appropriate.

Socio-economic impact. There are significant socio-economic opportunities, including employment, for hydrogen technologies as the UK moves to low carbon transport, heat and power supply. For the UK to have the opportunity to take an international lead in hydrogen sector we need future innovation leaders. The CDT supported by partners we will create conditions for and exploit the opportunities to maximise socio-economic impact.

Students will be expected in years 3 and 4 to undertake a research visit to an industry partner and/or to undertake a knowledge transfer secondment. It is expected these visits (supported by the CDT) will be a significant benefit to the student's research project through access to industry expertise, exploring the potential impact of their research and will also be a valuable networking experience.