How a common metal like Nickel could replace Platinum in electrolysers and accelerate the EU's green transition Imagine trying to replace the world’s best performer with a budget alternative—and not just match it, but get close enough to change the game. That’s the challenge facing scientists working to reduce the use of platinum in hydrogen production. And it’s the bold mission of the Horizon Europe project NICKEFFECT. Why Hydrogen, and why now? Hydrogen is a key pillar of the European Union’s plan to decarbonise its economy and reach climate neutrality by 2050. Produced through water electrolysis, hydrogen offers a clean energy carrier—especially when powered by renewables. The EU has set an ambitious target: installing 40 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030, which would produce millions of tonnes of green hydrogen annually. But there's a catch. The most efficient technology for hydrogen production—Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWE)—relies on rare and expensive platinum group metals...
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