The UK electrolyzer technology sector has been given a boost with the announcement of three winners of the Net Zero Technology Centre’s (NZTC) 2024 Electrolyzer funding competition.

Efficient electrolyzers are key to cost-effective and large-scale green H₂ production. Research from phase one of NZTC’s Energy Hubs project identified the need to accelerate the development of next-generation electrolyzer technologies to meet future domestic and global H₂ demand.

Taking action, NZTC is pushing forward the development of prototypes, with a goal to pilot. This initiative aims to scale the Scottish supply chain and establish an export market.

NZTC is pushing forward the development of prototypes. Thirty-six applications were received from around the globe with three UK electrolyzer developers selected. Each will receive a share of the £500,000 funding to accelerate the development of their technology. The winners are:

• Clyde H₂ Systems is set to revolutionize the green H₂ sector with its breakthrough decoupled electrolysis technology which offers flexibility and opportunities not possible with existing electrolyzers. H₂ and oxygen are produced separately at different times and rates, enhancing safety and reducing costs. The technology produces high pressure H₂ without mechanical compression and is highly compatible with intermittent renewable energy sources as it can safely produce gas steams even at extremely low power inputs.
• Aqsorption Ltd’s high pressure membraneless electrolyzer technology is designed to be more efficient and operate at higher pressures than other technologies, with reduced maintenance costs. The membraneless design reduces reliance on expensive rare earth minerals. The system efficiency will be boosted even further by recapturing kinetic energy from the high-pressure oxygen output.
• Latent Drive’s SeaStack technology is an innovative direct seawater-to-H₂ electrolyzer with a unique cell design to exploit the properties of seawater, eliminating the need for desalination and purification of the feed water. This means that SeaStack can move H₂ production offshore for close coupling to the energy supply at windfarms and will capture more wind energy at a lower cost, reducing the cost of green H₂. The marinized design and minimum balance-of-plant hugely reduce the burden of maintenance — ideal for severe environments at floating offshore wind platforms, and also port installations for refueling working vessels or port infrastructure.

Enabling gigawatt scale energy hubs. The Energy Hubs project aims to develop energy infrastructure across Scotland to produce large-scale green H₂ and alternative fuels by harnessing the country’s natural resources. The H₂ produced in energy hubs will transform Scotland into a leading exporter of green H₂, with plans to export over 900,000 tpy to Europe via a dedicated H₂ pipeline.

Electrolyzers, which use electricity to split water into H₂ and oxygen, are a critical technology for success.

Darren Gee, ETF Program Manager NZTC, said, “Electrolyzer technology is an exciting sector right now, and the technological breakthroughs of today will pave the way for the green energy solutions of tomorrow. In Phase 1 of our Energy Hubs project, we identified an urgent need to accelerate the efficiency of electrolyzer operation. In Phase 2, we are taking action.

“Together with key industry partners, we identified three groundbreaking UK technologies from a remarkably strong field of applicants. These technologies are scalable and have the potential to significantly push the boundaries of H₂ production.

“By supporting technologies at an early stage of their development, we have an opportunity to drive this technology forwards and make a direct impact on the future of green H₂ production in Scotland.”

Alasdair Allan, Scottish Government Acting Minister for Climate Action, said, “Our energy sector, and the development of green H₂ in particular, will play a crucial role in growing Scotland’s economy and delivering on our net zero targets. I am pleased to see this welcome progress in funding innovation in large scale green H₂ production, supported by the Scottish Government's Energy Transition Fund.”