New Energies, new possibilities

The electrolyser will be installed in a test stand at the Turbocharger Performance Centre (TPC) on the Augsburg site of MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES), where it will generate data in test operation for continuous optimisation. With the demonstration plant, Quest One is turning large electrolysers into a tangible experience. Operational constraints often mean that these plants cannot be viewed while they are in use at customers' sites. The joint project aims to change this: From mid-2025, it will be possible for potential customers as well as for project developers and EPCs to visit the demonstration plant. This will give them valuable insights into the construction phases, dimensions, inner workings and infrastructure.

A second objective of the joint project with MAN Energy Solutions is to continuously optimise the scale of PEM electrolysers on the base of field data and to further refine both the system operation as well as the installation and service concept.

“It is essential to have industrial scale electrolysers to meet the huge demand for green hydrogen in the future. With our new hydrogen demonstration plant we will show that the technology for industrial scale hydrogen production already exists. In particular, our PEM electrolysis technology is perfectly suited for use with renewable energy sources and stands out with a high hydrogen quality. Prospects can now experience these advantages at our demonstration plant,” said Jürgen Klöpffer, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Quest One and member of the Executive Board of MAN Energy Solutions.

“Our MHP is an essential building block for decarbonising of the industrial sector. The scalable system can be flexibly adapted to increasing hydrogen demands as the industry ramps up. The demonstration plant is an important means for us to further optimise the performance and operating parameters of the MHP. This will ensure that our products continue to produce green hydrogen in a reliable and efficient way in the future,” explained Michael Meister, COO at Quest One.

Joint project implementation

The project underlines the joint efforts of Quest One and MAN Energy Solutions to make green hydrogen a reliable fuel for the decarbonisation of the industry. Through the jointly operated test stand, both partners are further expanding their knowledge and skills in the construction, project management, operation and maintenance of large scale industrial electrolysers. Quest One is thus also taking a further step in scaling up its own product portfolio for projects ranging from ten to several hundred megawatts of electrolysis capacity. Continuously increasing electrolysis capacity is an important prerequisite for the company's goal of avoiding up to one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through the implementation of its products.

Construction started at the end of 2024 with the installation of the freshwater treatment. The plant will be assembled over the course of 2025, so test operations can start by the beginning of 2026. Potential business partners will be able to already gain insights into the construction phase and visit the plant onsite in Augsburg in 2025.

Industrial scale hydrogen production

The MHP is currently the largest PEM electrolyser in Quest One's product portfolio. Its scalable modular system makes it particularly suitable for industrial production of green hydrogen. Module blocks with an output of 10 MW can be expanded and combined to create plants with an electrolysis capacity from 10 to several hundred megawatts. The system is optimised for easy indoor installation on preassembled skids. Each 10-megawatt block is equipped with integrated process water treatment and an electrical power supply.

Funding under the PEP.IN programme

The development of the demonstration plant is being funded as part of the PEP.IN research project, a sub-project of the H2Giga hydrogen lighthouse project of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). PEP.IN is exploring new processes for the series production of PEM electrolysers. It looks at the entire value chain from stack production to final assembly. The aim is to make green hydrogen affordable and competitive. The scope of funding particularly covers feasibility and viability studies as well as the planning of the necessary infrastructure.

Quest One and MAN Energy partner on large scale electrolyser | Global Hydrogen Review

SINGAPORE, December 4, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Horizon Fuel Cell Group has hit another milestone, with the launch of its 5MW AEM electrolyser system designed to drive down the cost of green hydrogen.

Delivering both capital cost reduction and higher efficiency, while retaining the operating flexibility relative to PEM electrolysers, these new electrolysers improve the viability of large-scale green hydrogen demand cases, such as green steel, green ammonia, eSAF and green methanol in the decarbonisation of energy, heavy transport and industrial processes.

To support global decarbonisation on a genuinely competitive basis with fossil fuel alternatives, the cost of green hydrogen must be significantly reduced. Horizon's new 5MW AEM building blocks combine just 10 electrolyser stacks to convert low-cost renewable energy into green hydrogen at scale, with a dramatically simpler architecture than some other AEM solutions, yielding long term operational benefits.

Key Features of Horizon’s 5MW AEM System:
• Strong dynamic response capability: nimble in responding to renewable energy power sources with input range of 5-120% of rated power
• DC power consumption of 3.6 to 4.3 kWh/Nm³ with Hydrogen purity of 99.999%
• Hydrogen production flexibility: can automatically adjust operation based on hydrogen flow requirements
• Well suited to large green hydrogen projects: the 5MW modular units are cost-effective building blocks
• Rapid path to scale: takes advantage of existing capabilities to offer high-throughput production

AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) technology is widely recognized as highly promising for green hydrogen production. The anion exchange membrane is a critical component influencing the performance, lifespan, efficiency and cost of AEM electrolysers, and is currently the main technological limitation for large-scale commercialisation of AEM based solutions. Following Horizon's track record of innovation in materials and electrochemistry, several breakthrough advancements have been made in membranes, catalysts, electrodes, and electrolyser stacks, which contribute to strong potential for the mass deployment of next generation AEM electrolysis solutions, which also leverages Horizon’s substantial operations experience.

Horizon is exploring numerous partnership opportunities around the world for assembly of these crucial elements of the green hydrogen supply chain, and has already announced the first such collaboration, targeting the promising Indian market.

About Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies: www.horizonfuelcell.com

With over two decades of material and application innovation, and large-scale delivery experience in fuel cells and hydrogen production, Horizon has become a world-leading developer of key technologies across the hydrogen value chain, including MEA and bipolar plates, with an annual capacity exceeding 1.2GW of core materials. Horizon is well-positioned to offer modular, turnkey solutions and professional services for green hydrogen projects through electrolyser subsidiary HET Hydrogen Pte Ltd.

Horizon announces world’s first 5MW AEM Electrolyser Targeting Large Green Hydrogen Projects

(Tianjin, China) On January 24, Horizon Fuel Cell, a Chinese hydrogen equipment innovation, announced it signed a contract with Tianjin Rockcheck Group, a major iron and steel producer, to supply two units of 5MW AEM electrolyzer system, which marks another milestone of commercialization for AEM electrolyzers in China.

The two AEM electrolyzer systems will be coupled with a 17MW BIPV system to provide green hydrogen to a DRI furnace which could reduce carbon emissions. Operation is expected to commence by the end of 2025.

The 5MW AEM electrolyzer system was initially showcased on the 8th International Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cell Technology and Product Expo (CHFE2024) held in October 2024. The AEM electrolyzer is reportedly comprised of only ten 500KW stacks. Such a simple architecture could significantly reduce operation and maintenance costs while improve efficiency.

 

Picture: Horizon’s HET-A1000 5MW AEM electrolysis system

AEM electrolysers are often described as a cross between alkaline and PEM electrolysers, with all the benefits of both, but none of their disadvantages.

AEM machines share PEM’s ability to quickly ramp up and down in response to variable wind and solar power, but without the need for the expensive platinum and iridium group catalysts required by PEM, giving it similar costs to alkaline electrolysers, but with greater efficiency. Another advantage of AEM electrolyser is safety, the diluted KOH solution in an AEM electrolyser is much safer to handle than the ALK electrolyser.

The main technology challenge for large AEM stack and system is the performance and mechanical strength of large AEM exchange membrane.

Horizon has successfully solved the problem, according to some reviews by the company.

The key specification of Horizon’s 5MW AEM electrolyzer system: