Olesia Danyliv received her PhD in Materials and Chemical Technology with focus on development of ion-conducting materials for energy applications from the University Grenoble Alps (France) in 2015. Since then, her academic research and industrial experience were related to the broader development of fuel cells and batteries. In 2024 Olesia joined RISE as a researcher in Hydrogen Technologies, where apart from the research work, she leads projects related to hydrogen production, hydrogen conversion and hydrogen implementation in transportation.
What was your original motivation to become a researcher/project manager?
“I have always loved chemistry since I started learning it at school. During my bachelor studies at the university in 2008 I was given a task to make an overview of studies on fuel cells and that was a decisive point of getting myself into a research topic, which captured me, and into an idea that being a researcher is my destiny. After several experiences of pure laboratory development, I realised that it would be interesting to combine hands-on work with project development/management and luckily for me, RISE offered such an opportunity. I can assert that this is an amazing role.”
What is your (main) research area today?
“The broad area is Hydrogen Technologies, which includes development and study of electrolysers and fuel cells at component and system level, as well as analysis of hydrogen as a game-changer in the energy transition for the transport sector.”
What is the main focus of your team in SWEETHY?
“Apart from project leading RISE will work on optimisation of performance in electrolysis single cells when operating with direct seawater, on testing the electrolysis five-cell stack (an intermediate prototype before the final SWEETHY prototype is developed), on collection and analysis of by-products from electrolysis operation. Additionally, RISE is a part of the SWEETHY sustainability assessment team, where our main responsibilities consider a full life-cycle assessment, techno-economic evaluation of case-specific integrated systems and help in development of industrial and urban symbiotic solutions.”
Could you describe your favourite moment/satisfaction when working for the project and – more in general – for your organisation?
“I get happy when after long discussions during the project meetings with many questions and debates we delimit these questions to the ones, which we consider as the most urgent and important, and which we will (or at least try to) answer. I like when there is a clear common view on how the project partners work towards resolving the issues, which, I believe, gives the feeling of security for the project outcome.
Regarding satisfaction when working for RISE, I appreciate that there are many colleagues (more than 3000 all over Sweden, but also in France and Norway), who are willing to help whenever I ask for that – that it’s an amazing team spirit here.”
How do you expect SWEETHY results will affect your organisation and the energy storage sector?
“I think SWEETHY already affects RISE as the company strengthens its position at the international research arena by partnering with professionals in material development, electrolysis system development and sustainability assessment of the renewable energy systems.
For the energy sector SWEETHY results will provide a new type of electrolyser, able to produce hydrogen from untreated seawater, which will induce the cost drop and the opportunities for electrolyser installation.”
