Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage (LabX)

The Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage (LabX) is a complete infrastructure for testing a wide variety of energy conversion systems, including hydrogen generation units (low and high temperature electrolyzers, fuel processors, etc.), cogeneration and trigeneration units fueled by natural gas, hydrogen, synthetic gas or any mixtures of the previous (e.g., internal combustion engines, fuel cells, etc.), power-to-power systems, and electrical / thermal energy storage systems, as well as heat pumps, absorption chillers and boilers.

LabX leverages over 15 years of experience in the previous Laboratory of Micro-Cogeneration and focuses on experimenting and characterising the units in terms of energy and environmental performances, allowing also to improve physical components and control logics. Tests are executed according to internal procedures as well as to available standards.

  • Cogeneration
    Combined heat and power generation, up to 100 kWe and 200 kWth (max 150°C)
  • Tri-generation
    Integrated or separated systems (CHP + absorption chillers and/or heat pumps)
  • Hydrogen
    Production via fuel processors from variable feeds (up to 300 kWth input) and via electrolysis (up to 50 kWe input)
  • Chillers
    Absorption/adsorption chillers up to 100 kWth input at max 150°C and compression chillers up to 100 kWe input
  • Heat pumps
    Compression and absorption heat pumps, including engine driven, up to 200 kW thermal power output
  • Boilers
    Hot water generation up to 200 kWth output at max 150°C

Combined heat and power

Internal combustion: reciprocating engines, micro-turbines
Fuel cells (PEMFC, SOFC)

Hydrogen production

Low-temperature electrolyzers (alkaline, PEM)
High-temperature electrolyzers (SOEC)
Fuel processors (reformers)

Features

  • Measurements
    High-precision instrumentation to analyse energy and mass balances and compositions
  • Gas mixtures
    Operation with multiple gases, fed in pure form or as mixtures
  • Storage systems
    Electrical and thermal storage, and hydrogen storage
  • Tests
    Steady-state operation or variable cycles
  • Grid integration
    Grid-connected or stand-alone operation, also exploiting a grid simulator to emulate perturbations

«The time is right to tap into hydrogen’s potential to play a key role in a clean, secure and affordable energy future.»

[IEA, The Future of Hydrogen, 2020]

Prof. Gianluca Valenti

Chief of Operations at LabX

gianluca.valenti@polimi.it

Prof. Stefano Campanari

Chief Scientific Advisor at LabX

stefano.campanari@polimi.it

LabX Gallery