St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU, Russia) will create a laboratory to carry out research on the use of hydrogen energy as a sustainable source in the near future. The topic is actively developing all over the world and may give a fresh insight on energy to Africa.

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU, belongs to Consortium of Rosatom’s Flagship Universities) together with Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering Division CDBMB JSC has set about creating a laboratory to study chemical technologies using digital solutions for hydrogen energy projects.

The laboratory will be equipped with the latest equipment so master’s students could carry out chemical technologies research, develop kinetic models of catalytic processes, including the production of hydrogen and its derivatives (ammonia, methanol, synthetic fuels, etc.), and collect data to create and verify digital twins. Up to 15 people will be able to work in the laboratory at the same time. The laboratory is scheduled to open in autumn 2024.

“Today, hydrogen technologies play a key role in the development of the chemical industry and energy sector. Modern energy sector needs an efficient and ecofriendly fuel, and hydrogen will become such an energy source in the near future. The knowledge-intensive projects of Advanced Engineering School in the interests of CDBMB JSC provide the foundation for new Gen equipment that will allow the industrial partner to become a technology licensor and take a leading position in the new industry,” concluded Yuri Aristovich, Head of the “Digital Engineering of the Main Equipment of Chemical-Engineering Systems” scientific and educational centre.

SPbPU Advanced Engineering School with the support of CDBMB JSC have organised “Digital Engineering of the Main Technological Equipment of Hydrogen Technologies and New Generation Energy Systems” new master’s programme for 2024-2025 academic year. The programme starts on September 1, 2024.

“The importance of scientific research in master’s training cannot be understated. In the new laboratory, students will not only master the methodology of scientific research and gain research experience, but will also be able to conduct important studies within the framework of the promising hydrogen energy projects of CDBMB JSC,” noted Alexey Mikhailov, Director of Business Development at CDBMB JSC.

The laboratory may also be useful for training African students and exchanging research experience. Developing renewable hydrogen production in Africa would allow African nations to meet domestic electricity needs while becoming a major exporter to supply growing global demand. The use of hydrogen as a fuel is not a new concept. It is currently widely used in different applications such as fuel for cars, refining petroleum, treating metals, producing fertilizer, and processing foods. Hydrogen releases a significant amount of energy when used as fuel, almost three times what can be obtained from diesel or gasoline.

For reference

Rosatom is developing a wide range of technologies in the field of hydrogen energy, including electrolysis units to produce low-carbon hydrogen and composite high-pressure cylinders to store and transport it. Rosatom in cooperation with leading domestic automakers, Russian regions and other market participants is actively involved in the development of hydrogen transport projects, being responsible for the production of advanced solutions in the field of refueling infrastructure. This is the most promising market today, primarily for the passenger transport sector and long-haul freight transportation.

Central Design Bureau of Machine Building, Joint-Stock Company (CDBMB JSC, belongs to Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering Division) is one of the leading companies of Rosatom with a multidiscipline design team, in-house research, experimental and production base. The bureau develops and manufactures main circulation pumps for Russian VVERs, designs and manufactures sealed, console, feed and emergency NPP pumps, as well as a wide range of remotely controlled equipment for work with radioactive materials, and offers new technological solutions in various areas of industry.

Consortium of Rosatom Flagship Universities is a community of higher education facilities created with the purpose of coordinating activities in the interests of the nuclear industry in the field of higher, postgraduate and additional professional education, as well as in the scientific field. The Consortium includes 20 specialised universities, including Bauman Moscow State Technical University (National Research University), Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, MISIS University of Science and Technology and others.