Hystar AS has officially opened its HyPilot project, a significant step forward in advancing industry efforts to cut carbon emissions and fully realize H₂’s potential in the energy transition. Hystar hosted an event at the Kårstø Gas Processing Plant in Rogaland, Norway, to formally open its field project, HyPilot. 

The Norwegian Minister of Energy, Terje Aasland, attended the event and cut the ribbon, marking the official opening of HyPilot. Project partners were also present, including representatives from Equinor, Yara Clean Ammonia, Gassco and ABB, as well as representatives from Enova, which has provided funding to the project. 

The Kårstø plant is the largest of its kind in Europe and is hosting the HyPilot project at its K-Lab test center. HyPilot is the in-field demonstration of Hystar’s 1.5-megawatt (MW) containerized PEM electrolyzer. The project will provide performance data from various operating regimes, including intermittent power supply.

Hystar’s unique and proprietary PEM electrolyzer stack technology is paving the way for significant cost reductions, better performance and safer green H₂ plants.

Hystar CEO Fredrik Mowill said, “HyPilot marks an important juncture both for Hystar and for the global green H₂ industry. The project allows us to showcase our patented, ultra-efficient electrolyzers, and the exceptional benefits of our unique design and scalable technology can bring to the industry. We are grateful to Enova and our partners, Equinor, Yara Clean Ammonia, Gassco and ABB for their collaboration and support.”

Hans Olav Raen, CEO Yara Clean Ammonia said, “We are proud to take part in the development of Norwegian technology that will provide competitive and profitable industrial production of renewable H₂ and ammonia and contributing to the world meeting its net-zero goals. At Yara Clean Ammonia, we perceive this PEM-technology as promising and exciting, especially regarding the improved energy efficiency. We congratulate the Hystar team and partners for moving forward with this innovative project.”

Chris Poynter, Division President, ABB System Drives said, “Participating in the HyPilot project allows us to fully explore the potential for efficiency and control in the next generation of power supplies. By integrating ABB’s advanced power solutions with Hystar’s innovative electrolyzer technology, we are uncovering new efficient pathways for H₂ generation by refining the interplay between electrochemistry and electrical engineering. This collaboration will help meet the growing global demand for economically viable green H₂ production.”

Andreas Jagtøyen, SVP for Renewable & Low Carbon Technology, Equinor said, “HyPilot is a technology demonstration project that is focused on testing the operability, lifetime, and efficiency of Hystar’s novel electrolyzer design for intermittent renewable energy applications. This project is an important step in gaining first-hand experience with green H₂ production and operational data for system modelling and technology qualification. Equinor is pleased to host the HyPilot project in our K-Lab test center at Kårstø, and to work together with our partners to help mature new technology.”

Richard Markeson, Program Manager R&D – New Value Chains, Gassco said, “Gassco is pleased to support the HyPilot R&D project, as developing practical and operational knowledge is essential for scaling up of renewable H₂ production from intermittent power supply.”

HyPilot’s opening closely follows Hystar receiving a €26-MM grant from the EU Innovation Fund that will enable the company to implement its automated GW factory, at its Høvik, Norway, location, with an annual capacity of 1.5 GW when the factory goes into operation in 2027, and scale to 4.5 GW of annual capacity in 2031.