New Energies, new possibilities

Plug Power has secured an order for 25 MW of PEM electrolyzer systems from bp and Iberdrola’s joint venture, Castellón Green Hydrogen S.L., to decarbonize operations at bp’s Castellón refinery in Valencia, Spain, by avoiding an estimated 23,000 tons of CO₂ emissions per year.
Using five of Plug’s 5-MW containerized PEM electrolyzers, the green hydrogen produced will replace part of the refinery’s current use of gray hydrogen generated from natural gas in its operations.

This deal marks the beginning of a long-term partnership and represents the first step in decarbonizing bp’s operations. The project will be developed in phases, with potential expansion up to 2 GW of electrolysis capacity.

“The selection of Plug’s technology for this project serves as a clear example of our established industry expertise and proven technology,” stated Plug CEO Andy Marsh. “Industry experts have highlighted the immense market potential for green hydrogen in Europe as being a key factor for reaching European Union decarbonization targets. This presents a significant opportunity for Plug, and we have the market knowledge and technology readily available to make a substantial impact.”

Advanced Ionics has announced that Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., through its Shell GameChanger program, will sponsor a pilot project aimed at testing Advanced Ionics’ water-vapor electrolyzer technology to produce low-cost hydrogen.
The project will support the scaling of Advanced Ionics’ second-generation, 800 cm² stack, which represents the next step toward commercialization. Shell will test this system at its targeted parameters to demonstrate the suitability and applicability for its renewable hydrogen needs and then potentially for ammonia production.

Advanced Ionics’ Symbion™ Electrolyzer technology utilizes low-cost clean electricity and onsite process or waste heat to enable the production of green hydrogen for less than USD 1/kg, according to the company. By harnessing process or waste heat, Advanced Ionics claims it can produce hydrogen for 35 kWh/kg – up to 40% less electricity per kilogram of hydrogen produced than alkaline and PEM technologies. The technology also matches the low capital costs associated with incumbent electrolyzer technologies already in the market today.

“The petrochemical industry will struggle to decarbonize without an economic path to producing and selling green hydrogen and derivatives such as green ammonia,” said Chad Mason, CEO of Advanced Ionics. “Through our partnership with Shell GameChanger, we’re proving a new way to decrease the cost of green hydrogen through more efficient, symbiotic operations.”

“We’re excited to support Advanced Ionics through the Shell GameChanger program,” said Ed Holgate, Principal, Shell GameChanger. “Their innovative intermediate temperature technology, which utilizes available steam to reduce electricity consumption, promises to potentially enhance efficiency and sustainability in the petrochemical sector. Shell GameChanger is the perfect program to validate, de-risk, and nurture such groundbreaking solutions, providing the resources and expertise needed to bring them to market.”

Siltrax, a Sydney-based fuel cell innovation company focused on transforming the hydrogen industry, has introduced its groundbreaking, patented silicon-based fuel cell technology, which leverages the unique characteristics of silicon to deliver enhanced performance, durability, and cost-efficiency.

At the core of Siltrax’s innovative fuel cell technology are silicon-based bipolar plates, which take advantage of the material’s lightweight and durable nature, mechanical and chemical stability, and ability to withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments. Silicon also allows for the creation of micro-scale flow channels on the plates’ surface. Combined, these attributes directly enhance the power density, durability, and performance of Siltrax’s fuel cells compared to its peers.

Another key advantage of Siltrax’s innovation is the ability to leverage existing photovoltaic (PV) supply chains for raw materials and production equipment. This strategic approach not only optimizes its manufacturing processes but also holds the potential to reduce the overall cost of fuel cell production, making this advanced technology more accessible for widespread adoption.

“We’re entering a new era of energy innovation where silicon-based fuel cells have the potential to transform the clean energy landscape,” said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, co-founder of Siltrax. “Silicon’s properties enable us to push the boundaries of fuel cell design, creating a low-cost, high-performance product. And, by leveraging resources from the solar industry, we can lower the barriers to mass manufacturing and make clean energy solutions more accessible to the global market.”

The innovative technology was developed by Dr. Shi, a renowned solar entrepreneur, and Dr. Jim Zhu, a semiconductor expert with extensive experience in silicon-based materials research. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to developing Siltrax’s silicon-based fuel cell technology.

Siltrax’s initial focus is on the aerospace industry and stationary power applications.

With backing from Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Virescent Ventures, Siltrax is expanding its research and development team in Australia to further advance fuel cell systems engineering and explore local commercialization opportunities. The company is focused on bringing this revolutionary technology to international markets, contributing to the global transition toward a cleaner energy future