″WE ARE MAKING OUR CONTRIBUTION TO A BETTER WORLD″ – Interview with Lara Kufferath
15. April 2024Responsibility is growing – in Africa and around the world
23. April 2024Energy from water
Green hydrogen plays a key role in the energy supply of the future. GKD develops product solutions to ensure that the production, use, and handling of the energy source is also successful on a large scale.
In 2023 alone, global greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 36.8 gigatons – 1.1 percent higher than in the previous year, despite all efforts and declared intentions. Most of the greenhouse gases are caused by the energy industry in the form of carbon dioxide. For GKD, this makes it very clear which direction to move in: Technologies for fossil fuels must become cleaner and more efficient, while technologies for renewable energy sources must be improved and massively expanded.
Where can green hydrogen be used?
Green hydrogen is a beacon of hope for industry. In the chemical sector, it is expected to reduce the use of crude oil, while in the steel industry, the emission-free energy source can replace coal as a reducing agent and fuel blast furnaces.
Green hydrogen also offers encouraging prospects for road traffic and goods transportation. Wherever it is difficult to switch to e-mobility in the foreseeable future, the fuel cell has great potential, for example in shipping or heavy goods transport.
How is GKD contributing to the production of green hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is generated through electrolysis of water. Electrolysis is a process in which electric current produces a chemical separation of substances. In the case of green hydrogen, this process takes place exclusively with the use of renewable energies such as wind or solar energy. Technical fabrics from GKD are used in electrolysis as electrode material, spacers, and current distributors. Thanks to their electrochemical, structural, and mechanical properties, they amplify the hydrogen and oxygen generation reaction.
For alkaline water electrolysis (AEL) – the most promising technology currently available – GKD has developed a coated wire mesh that increases efficiency compared to conventional electrodes by up to 25 percent. This leap in efficiency ensures that the energy from wind turbines, for example, is converted by the electrolyzer with as little loss as possible.
GKD’s mesh solutions as electrode material also boost fuel cell efficiency, where green hydrogen is converted into electrical energy. Almost all fuel cell designs benefit from the porosity and conductivity that they offer. The distinct and yet smooth surface structures of the technical fabrics ensure optimal electrical contact with the membrane. What is more, these meshes withstand considerable bending without losing contact with active materials.
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