About RESCUE

Securing Power Supply –
Strengthening Resilience Against Natural Disasters.

Natural disasters, ranging from floods and storms to earthquakes and wildfires, are becoming more frequent and intense, and are increasingly threatening critical infrastructure. The electrical power supply is among the most vital of these systems. If it fails, this can trigger cascading effects across all sectors, from healthcare and communication to emergency services.
This project therefore focuses on safeguarding the functionality of electrical energy systems under extreme conditions. By improving risk assessment, preparedness and system resilience, the project aims to ensure an uninterrupted power supply when it is needed most.

The project RESCUE (Reliable and Efficient Dual Fuel System for Civil Protection during Natural Disasters using HT-PEM Technology) focuses on the development and demonstration of an advanced fuel cell system capable of operating on 100% hydrogen as well as methanol. Designed to deliver 50 kW of continuous electrical power and up to 100 kW peak power, the system offers robust performance in demanding conditions.

The fuel cell system features a containerised, modular design and supports dual-fuel operation. This flexible configuration makes it suitable for a wide range of critical applications, particularly in the context of natural disasters and civil defence scenarios, where varying energy demands must be reliably met.

At the heart of the system is high-temperature-polymer electrolyte membrane (HT-PEM) technology, which operates at approximately 160 °C. This elevated temperature simplifies water management, facilitates heat dissipation, and enables the direct use of reformate gases, resulting in a more efficient and resilient system.

The project aims to develop a fully integrated fuel cell module and fuel tank, equipped with refuelling capabilities for both hydrogen and methanol. Safety and transport certification requirements will be carefully considered throughout the design process.

To validate system performance, the RESCUE project includes a demonstration phase under real-world conditions, including grid integration and defined load profiles. A minimum of 2,000 hours of on-site testing at a civil defence organisation will be conducted, culminating in a thorough evaluation of the system’s capabilities.

RESCUE IN NUMBERS

Call:

HORIZON-JTI-
CLEANH2-2024

Type of Action:

HORIZON JU
Innovation Actions

Acronym:

RESCUE

Number:

101192169

Duration:

48 months

Start Date:

01 Jan 2025

Max. Grant Amount:

4,983,490.08 €