Fluxys to test KU Leuven’s hydrogen panels

Belgium’s Fluxys has kicked off a one-year trial of KU Leuven hydrogen panels on the roof of its Anderlecht lab.

KU Leuven, a research university in Leuven in Flanders, Belgium, first publicly presented their innovative hydrogen panels in 2019 as a highly efficient means of producing green hydrogen from sunlight and water vapour present in the air.

These hydrogen panels enable the consumers to generate their own energy to cover their heating or mobility needs or as a raw material to replace fossil fuels.

Green hydrogen can play a key role in the energy transition as its production and use do not involve any CO2 emissions and it can be stored for longer periods of time.

Fluxys is testing the pannels at its lab in Anderlecht, which is considered a centre of expertise in Belgium when it comes to measuring gas volumes and analysing the composition of gases. This is what Fluxys is concentrating on at the test site. The tests are taking place under the Solhyd project.

Jan Rongé, a postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven, said: “The hydrogen panels are set up facing different directions. The measurements and analyses conducted at the Fluxys lab will highlight variations in the production profile and hydrogen composition depending on the direction of the panels, the weather conditions, the time of day and the season. We can then use these data to further hone the technology.”

Raphaël De Winter, head of innovation at Fluxys, stated: “We want to advance the energy transition and gradually transport more carbon-neutral gases in our infrastructure. When it comes to hydrogen, we have started the commercial process of converting part of the existing natural gas network into a complementary hydrogen network in line with the market from 2025 onwards. Our partnership with KU Leuven is an opportunity for us to share our knowledge while helping shape the future.”