UCL–SJTU Joint Funding Application for Thermally-Enhanced Electrochemical Hydrogen Production

Overview

Project Title

Thermally-Enhanced Electrochemical Hydrogen Production: UCL–SJTU Joint Platform Integrating Solar Thermal and PEM Electrolysis

Lead Applicants

• UCL: Mr. Haotian MA
  Ph.D. Candidate, University College London
  Specialisation: Electrochemical system modelling and experimental validation

• SJTU: Prof. Yanjun Dai
  Head, Department of Power and Energy Engineering
  Specialisation: Solar thermal systems, thermodynamic cycles, heat pumps

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Project Rationale

Hydrogen is a critical vector for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors. Despite advances in electrochemical hydrogen production, integration with solar thermal inputs remains underexplored, particularly in thermally-integrated PEM electrolysis systems.

This UCL–SJTU collaboration combines:

• UCL: Development of electrochemical testbeds for PEM electrolyser operation, catalyst-coated membrane fabrication, and dynamic characterisation under thermal-electrical coupling scenarios.
• SJTU: System-level design and simulation of photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) integrated PEM electrolysis platforms with heat pump coupling to enhance thermal utilisation and overall system efficiency.

Methodology applied for this funding application.

The collaboration aims to:

• Increase thermal-electrochemical conversion efficiency under variable solar conditions
• Demonstrate replicable frameworks for electrochemical system integration research
• Support the UK Hydrogen Strategy and China’s clean energy transition objectives

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Technical Highlights

UCL Work Packages

• Development of modular PEM electrolyser test platforms with integrated thermal control
• Dynamic performance evaluation under simulated solar-thermal input profiles
• Experimental characterisation of catalyst-coated membranes and porous transport layers under thermal gradients

SJTU Work Packages

• System-level modelling and optimisation of PVT-integrated PEM electrolysis systems
• Heat pump integration strategies for waste heat recovery and system efficiency enhancement
• Control strategy development for dynamic matching of thermal and electrical subsystems

Collaborative Workflow

1. Empirical Data Generation (UCL): Electrochemical performance datasets under varying thermal conditions
2. System Simulation Calibration (SJTU): Using experimental inputs to refine thermal-electrochemical models
3. Feedback Loop: Iterative integration of materials-level characterisation with system-level optimisation for design refinement

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Expected Impact

Academic Outputs

• ≥3 joint publications in peer-reviewed electrochemical and energy systems journals
• A joint external funding proposal (e.g. UKRI, Horizon Europe, China’s National Key R&D Program)

Technological Outcomes

• Validated PVT–PEM electrolysis prototypes demonstrating thermal integration performance gains
• Open-access datasets supporting future multiscale electrochemical system design

Industrial Relevance

• Applications in off-grid hydrogen storage, microgrid energy balancing, and industrial green hydrogen production
• Alignment with national low-carbon hydrogen deployment goals

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Strategic Significance

This project supports:

• UCL’s net-zero carbon targets by 2030
• UN Sustainable Development Goals:
  • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13: Climate Action

Advantages of the Partnership

• UCL: Advanced electrochemical materials synthesis, PEM electrolyser testing, UK hydrogen policy expertise
• SJTU: Solar thermal integration, PVT-heat pump coupling, deployment insights for large-scale energy systems

Together, these capabilities enable robust electrochemical system development with strong policy and industrial alignment.

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Future Directions

• Shared datasets and interoperable electrochemical-thermal models to support scale-up of solar-integrated hydrogen systems
• Joint student training and exchange programs focusing on electrochemical system integration
• Co-hosted international workshop (2026) on thermal-electrochemical hydrogen production with academic, industry, and policy stakeholders

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Funding Overview

• UCL Funding: £10,000 for travel, PEM electrolyser consumables, instrumentation, and seminar coordination
• SJTU Funding: ¥50,000 for PVT equipment procurement, system simulation software, travel, and consumables

Planned SJTU visit to UCL: First half of 2026

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Contact

For further information:

• UCL Lead: Mr. Haotian MA – haotian.ma.24@ucl.ac.uk
• SJTU Lead: Prof. Yanjun Dai – yjdai@sjtu.edu.cn

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This project exemplifies strategic UK–China collaboration in electrochemical hydrogen systems research, integrating advanced materials science with system engineering for scalable green hydrogen production.