Dissemination

The OPUS-H2 project : « Optimization of Performance and Durability of Hydrogen Systems using an Advanced Digital Twin » aims to promote the sustainable development of hydrogen systems and the energy transition toward a low-carbon economy. This will strengthen energy security in territories while reducing their dependence on imported energy resources. Knowledge sharing and cross-disciplinary expertise within the European Union network, combined with regional initiatives, will foster innovation and research in this field. The project’s outcomes (open-access digital twin and control strategies) will benefit all stakeholders in the energy transition (research institutes, industries, economic actors, etc.).

From a scientific perspective, the project will first provide the scientific community with an open-source fuel cell simulator, specialized for control applications—something not currently available at such an advanced level in the literature. Next, it will deepen the understanding of the relationship between voltage drop at high currents, liquid water content in the cell, and operating conditions through theoretical developments and experimental testing. Following this, control strategies to improve fuel cell performance will be experimentally validated. Additionally, the project will integrate and experimentally test cell degradation physics into the simulator to develop a model accounting for fuel cell aging. Resulting control strategies to extend fuel cell lifespan will then be experimentally assessed. Finally, the project will enable the candidate to acquire technical expertise on modern hydrogen test benches from the European partner, allowing these skills to be transferred to Réunion Island.