Investigating degradation effects on electrolysers: how to avoid safety and economic risks of electrolyzers through modeling and monitoring

Hydrogen, through electrolysis technologies, is crucial for sectors that cannot be fully electrified. However, aging phenomena in water electrolysers reduce efficiency, service life, reliability, and safety, especially with frequent startups and shutdowns, common with renewable energy sources like solar and wind. This degradation leads to decreased efficiency and higher operating costs over time, and a degraded membrane can create an explosive mixture by allowing hydrogen to transfer to the anode.