Bearings, seals and lubrication systems company SKF is supporting the development of so-called fossil-free bearing steel through a collaboration with Sweden-based Luleå University of Technology’s Centre for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden (CH2ESS) initiative.

Hydrogen is the key to a fossil-free energy system and CH2ESS – a newly established research and knowledge initiative at Luleå University of Technology – is focusing on hydrogen use in industrial processes and energy systems, in close collaboration with Swedish industry.

As part of the collaboration, SKF will participate in and fund research within hydrogen use in industrial processes and energy systems, accelerating the development of fossil-free bearing steel.

SKF Technology president Victoria van Camp says mechanical components are important to ensure the function and operation in future hydrogen systems. “Together with CH2ESS and its partners, we can contribute in designing robust, reliable hydrogen systems, with the lowest possible impact on the environment and on total cost of operation.”

This, she says, will not only benefit Swedish industry, but also global technology development for the future hydrogen economy.

Research areas will include hybrid ceramic bearings, electric vehicles and other applications, as well as the development and commercialisation of fossil-free bearing steel production.

SKF’s expertise in fluid machinery, material science, production technology and Internet of Things solutions will actively contribute to the work.

CH2ESS programme manager and Luleå University of Technology energy engineering professor Rikard Gebart says the “large expertise” of SKF in many strategically important areas is a welcome addition to the existing knowledge base in CH2ESS.

“We are looking forward to an exciting collaboration where we together address the many important problems that are connected to the hydrogen technology,” he says.