Electrolyzers

The first world-scale chlorine plant based on oxygen depolarized cathode electrolysis technology has been successfully started up in Tarragona, Spain. Covestro and thyssenkrupp nucera worked closely together to develop the innovative and energy-efficient electrolysis technology.

Plug Power and ACCIONA Energía have presented to the Government of Navarra, Spain, their Valle H2V Navarra joint project to build an industrial-scale, green H₂ production plant in Rocaforte, Sangüesa.

LONGi H2 launched its new generation of alkaline electrolyzed water H₂ production equipment ALK Hi1 in Beijing, continuously exploring the lowest of energy consumption and redefining the height of energy efficiency.

In 1969, Apollo 11 allowed humankind to take their first steps on the moon. Unknown to many, hydrogen (H₂) made that mission possible through the use of H₂ fuel cells to supply electricity and water for the capsule, along with liquid H₂ to fuel the rockets.

February's H₂Tech Spotlight features an energy system for H₂ production, new H₂ storage safety technology, gas turbines powered by H₂ and much more.

The Germany government has announced that it may provide Namibia €10 B to build a new green H₂ production complex. This infusion of capital will help develop Hyphen Hydrogen Energy’s complex. The project in the port town of Luederitz consists of a solar and wind farm that will provide feedstock to produce green H₂.

Proton exchange membrane electrolyzers require platinum and iridium for electrocatalyst; alkaline electrolyzers use nickel as raw material for electrodes. Platinum prices will likely be impacted by sanctions on Russia, one of the major producers of platinum.

Based on the current use of iridium as the anode catalyst in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, the forecasted increase in PEM electrolyzer capacity seems like an impossible task; however, companies involved in the PEM technology supply chain are aware of this issue and are taking steps to address it through chemistry and equipment design.

Green and blue H₂ production may involve different processes, but they both require the same thing: automated and intelligent controlled chemical-reaction units. These units are needed for H₂ production through traditional steam methane reforming with carbon capture for blue H₂.

Uniper has commissioned the Dresden-based company Sunfire to build a 30-MW pressurized alkaline electrolysis plant which will generate green H₂ using renewable electricity and purified wastewater. The final investment decision is still pending.

Enapter AG and YEST have received an order from South Korea for the delivery of two anion exchange membrane electrolyzers with a total capacity of 2 megawatts. The systems will be used in a 12.5-MW H₂ pilot project on Jeju Island.

Howden has signed a contract to provide five H₂ diaphragm compressors for Atura Power’s Niagara Hydrogen Center in Ontario, Canada.