Development of Innovative Hydrogen and Micro Energy Solutions at the Austrian Research Centers

Hydrogen technologies are increasingly important for a number of future aerospace and terrestrial applications. The Austrian Research Centers (ARC) are presently developing an innovative hydrogen tank system based on a combination of hollow microspheres and chemical hydrides, promising very high storage densities up to 10 weight % (wt%) at ambient pressures and temperatures. ARC is also active in developing micro energy converters based on micro turbines and Stirling engines to use waste heat and exhaust for improving the overall efficiency for a number of applications. Furthermore the present paper discusses a concept that utilizes a micro energy converter together with a micro combustion module that enables a micro power generator with very high power-to-weight ratios. In addition an overview of energy-related developments is presented that is specifically suitable for aerospace and demanding terrestrial applications.