HydrogenPro to supply world's largest single stack high-pressure alkaline electrolyzer

Norwegian electrolyzer company HydrogenPro has received an order from Mitsubishi Power for what the company says is the world's largest single stack high-pressure alkaline electrolyzer system, HydrogenPro said in a statement on Aug. 24.

The electrolyzer system will have a capacity of 1,100 normal cu m/hour of renewable hydrogen, and will be installed at Heroya Industrial Park, Norway, in the first quarter of 2022, HydrogenPro said, adding that it will also operate the facility.

The companies also plan to deliver similar technology in the US later in 2021, following a validation and optimization program.

"This is an important strategic order," HydrogenPro CEO Marten Lunde said, noting significant opportunities in the US market over the coming years.

"This technology has been used around the world for decades, and we will support HydrogenPro enhance and scale their products, while also deploying a global supply chain," Paul F. Browning, president and CEO, Mitsubishi Power Americas, and Chief Regional Officer, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, Mitsubishi Power, said.

The alkaline high-pressure electrolyzer is HydrogenPro's core product. The company said that with the new electrode technology it is producing, it is able to increase efficiency of each unit by 14% to achieve 93% of the theoretical maximum.

Reaching a high level of efficiency is key to lowering the cost of renewable hydrogen, with electricity making up around 70%-90% of green hydrogen production costs, HydrogenPro said.

It is targeting a production cost of $1.2/kg in 2022, based on an electricity price of $20/MWh.

S&P Global Platts assessed the cost of producing renewable hydrogen via alkaline electrolysis in Europe at Eur5.81/kg ($6.82/kg) on Aug. 23 (Netherlands, including capex), based on month-ahead Dutch power prices last assessed at Eur96.50/MWh ($113.25/MWh).

PEM electrolysis production was assessed at Eur7.16/kg, while blue hydrogen production by steam methane reforming (including carbon, CCS and capex) was at Eur3.16/kg.