Turning seawater into green fuel
This issue is to be addressed by the Sea4Volt project, funded by the European Union and involving the Gdańsk University of Technology. Researchers from Gdańsk Tech, together with partners from across Europe, are working on an electrolyser powered directly by seawater. This solution could revolutionise the production of green hydrogen without depleting freshwater resources.
Green hydrogen straight from the sea
The project aims to develop a new concept for a low-temperature membrane electrolyser (AEM – Anion Exchange Membrane) that will operate efficiently, selectively and sustainably, using seawater with a slightly alkaline pH.
To achieve this, the Sea4Volt consortium is developing new materials and components: catalysts, membranes, protective coatings, bipolar plates and sealing systems. The use of corrosion-resistant materials and PFAS-free membranes will result in a low-cost and environmentally friendly electrolysis system that is resistant to salt and harsh environmental conditions.
Apart from the Gdańsk University of Technology, the consortium members include six research and scientific institutions and companies from Germany, Spain, Finland, Estonia, Israel and Ireland.
Contribution of the Gdańsk University of Technology
A research team from the Gdańsk University of Technology, led by Prof. Sebastian Molin, is responsible for developing and testing new protective coatings and electrode materials that will ensure the device's long service life in contact with seawater. Researchers from Gdańsk Tech are also involved in designing a prototype electrolyser and analysing electrolyser components after preliminary and long-term testing.
“Our main task is to create new materials to be used in constructing oxygen-releasing electrodes,” explained Prof. Molin. “In the next step, we will increase the size of these electrodes in the newly created seawater electrolyser to sizes suitable for industrial production. The most important goal of this project is to develop a hydrogen production electrolyser that will use seawater without any pre-treatment, purification, desalination, etc.”
Social and economic significance of the project
Technology enabling the production of green hydrogen directly from seawater could be of enormous importance, particularly in coastal regions and countries that lack drinking water. The development of such systems is an opportunity to accelerate the energy transition and increase the production of hydrogen fuels.
The results of the Sea4Volt project tests and research will be published in reports, at conferences and workshops, and the solutions developed will be made available to other entities in the electrolyser and fuel cell industry, contributing to the widespread dissemination of this innovation throughout Europe.
The Sea4Volt project at a glance
- Title: Sea4Volt – Seawater Electrolysis for Low-cost Green Hydrogen Production
- Objective: developing and demonstrating an electrolyser that operates directly on seawater
- Coordination: a European consortium funded by the European Commission (Horizon Europe programme)
- Implementation: from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028
The project leader is the VTT Technical
Turning seawater into green fuel | Gdańsk University of Technology