Significant progress has been made within this work package to advance the modelling and validation of energy conversion and storage technologies centred on a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser system at the University of St Andrews’ Eden Campus. Through a combination of advanced modelling, experimental infrastructure development, and close collaboration across work packages, the team is supporting a more integrated and flexible approach to energy system analysis.
A major milestone has been the establishment of a hydrogen living laboratory at Eden Campus. This state of the art facility includes an 85 kVA PEM electrolyser, 250 kg of high pressure hydrogen storage, a refuelling station, a 75 kVA PEM fuel cell, and a hydrogen vehicle, providing a powerful platform for real world demonstration and data acquisition.
Close collaboration with WP1, WP2, and WP5 has enabled effective knowledge transfer and data sharing, supporting the modelling of the Eden Campus energy system as a representative small industrial cluster. This integrated system brings together solar PV, battery storage, hydrogen technologies, biomass, and mixed use buildings.
Together, these activities provide a strong foundation for the future optimisation and deployment of integrated hydrogen energy systems, supporting the transition to a more resilient and low carbon energy future.
WP4’s (University of St Andrews) recent work has focussed on the commissioning of the Hydrogen Living Laboratory (HLL – pictured below), bringing online air and hydrogen compression systems, 250 kg of pressurised hydrogen storage (550 bar) and a refuelling station (only the fourth in Scotland) for our Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, in addition to the existing 85 kVA Nel C10 Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser.
We have also progressed the development of our electrolyser sub-model using real data (collected from the Nel C10) for validation and have developed a separate model utilising wind curtailment data to investigate the viability and efficiency of using curtailed energy to produce hydrogen, via an electrolyser (for energy storage), and subsequently using the hydrogen for power generation to feed into the grid during periods of high demand.
Over the coming months, WP4’s work will focus on refinement of the model and incorporation of the compression, storage and refuelling systems to determine the impact on the electrical demand and supply profiles required for higher-level modelling of grid impact in the overall Digital Twin for the ENSIGN project. In addition, we will soon be bringing online a 70 kW PEM Fuel Cell system within the HLL, in order to investigate power generation from hydrogen and integration into the model.
Exciting progress continues at Eden Campus, University of St Andrews. In August, a 70 kW PEM fuel cell system was successfully delivered, marking a major milestone in the development of the Hydrogen Living Laboratory (HLL). This month, the HLL has been installed in its final location, and commissioning work is now underway.
Over the next few weeks, the Electrolyser and Fuel Cell will be brought online, enabling the production of hydrogen and supplying clean power directly to the University’s grid. The hydrogen generated will also be piped into the new Power 2 X building and used to fuel the University’s hydrogen-powered vehicles—bringing sustainable energy solutions to life on campus.
Collaboration with the University’s building management team, along with WP1: Whole System Integration and WP5: Industrial Cluster sub Digital Twin, has enabled full access to the Building Management System (BMS). This access is a key step toward creating a comprehensive digital twin of Eden Campus, supporting smarter energy management and future innovation.
On the modelling front, work is progressing on a physical model of the hydrogen electrolyser, with integration of both AC and DC load profiles. This model will feed into the broader digital twin, helping to simulate and optimise energy flows across the campus
