New Energies, new possibilities

London, UK.--  UK cleantech specialist Bramble Energy, in partnership with Taiwan-based Tripod Technology Corporation and Tripod Nanotechnology Corporation, today announces the launch of a £1.5m ‘POWER project’ – an initiative set to develop Bramble’s patented Printed Circuit Board AEM Electrolyser (PCBEL™) and redefine the economics and scalability of hydrogen production.

Co-funded by Innovate UK and Taiwan’s Department of Industrial Technology via the UK-Taiwan CRD 2024 program, the project – named ‘POWER: Printed Circuit Board Optimised Water Electrolysis with Reduced Platinum Group Metals (PGM)’ – builds on the success of Bramble’s existing PCBEL™ stack technology.

Key milestones so far include demonstrating it in a 25 kW stack, operating on just 0.1 mol/L KOH (potassium hydroxide solution) – a significantly less corrosive concentration that simplifies handling, reduces stringent safety requirements, and enables a broader range of material choices. PCBEL™ has also achieved the Clean Hydrogen Partnership’s 2030 targets for performance and critical raw material (CRM) content, and it leverages the high-volume, low-cost printed circuit board (PCB) supply chain, which has reached an industry-leading volume cost of $200/kW for AEM stacks.

Within the project, Bramble Energy and its partners will refine the PCBEL™ cell and stack design, while integrating breakthrough catalysts and developing membrane electrode assemblies (MEA).

The result will see the cost of AEM electrolyser stacks further lowered by improving durability and operational flexibility.

“We are thrilled to announce this £1.5m project to develop our groundbreaking PCBEL™ technology,” said Dr Tom Mason, CEO of Bramble Energy. “This is more than just an upgrade in technology; by combining cutting-edge engineering with a commitment to affordability and sustainability, we’ll be able to push the limits of cost, performance and durability, propelling our electrolyser technology towards large-scale commercialisation. Being able to deliver a low-cost, scalable and reduced precious-metal solution to hydrogen production will be an exciting turning point for the entire hydrogen economy, helping drive the transition to a clean energy future.”

Aleck Lin – Vice President of Tripod Technology added

“As a global leader in PCB manufacturing, Tripod Technology is excited to join in this PCB-based pioneering project of advanced AEM electrolyzer development. In the international collaborative project, Tripod and Tripod Nano are dedicated to innovating catalyst and membrane electrode technology for better performance and material sustainability. This partnership with Bramble underscores our commitment to technological leadership and global decarbonization, ensuring stable and scalable material supply for the clean energy transition.”

As governments and industries worldwide seek robust solutions to decarbonise critical sectors, the POWER project positions the consortium at the forefront of the next-generation AEM electrolyser market, while paving the way for a resilient, sustainable energy infrastructure that can meet the demands of tomorrow.

For more information about Bramble Energy, visit https://www.brambleenergy.com/.

About Bramble Energy

Bramble Energy is an award-winning cleantech business accelerating global decarbonisation and powering the transition to a Net Zero world.

Backed to date with £41 million from prominent investors HydrogenOne Capital, Parkwalk Advisors, UCL Technology Fund, BGF and IP Group, Bramble Energy continues to grow its team, technologies and facilities.

Bramble Energy was the recipient of “Business Transformation of the Year Award” at The Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence 2023 Awards, was placed in Deloitte’s EMEA Fast 500 ranking, and announced as the Deloitte UK Fast 50 Regional winner of the South East.

Founder Dr Tom Mason has grown a team of three in the research labs at University College of London to an 80+ strong team of experts across electrochemistry and high impact technological solutions.

Headquartered in Crawley, UK, Bramble Energy is based in a multi-million pound world-leading hydrogen innovation hub, enabling the company to push the boundaries and scale-up its technologies to solve the global challenge of making clean energy technology accessible. Focusing on manufacturability, scalability and rapid innovation, the company has developed PCB-X™ – a versatile hydrogen platform that leverages printed circuit board (PCB) technology to create a series of patent protected clean energy solutions. These include the PCB fuel cell, PCBFC™, which uses globally standardised materials and manufacturing techniques, enabling low cost local production and scalability, and PCB electrolysers, which are accessible, stackable and low cost.

https://www.brambleenergy.com/

About Tripod Technology Corporation

Founded in 1991, Tripod Technology Corporation is a world-class PCB manufacturer with state-of-the-art production facilities in Pingzhen, Taoyuan, Taiwan. With operations spanning 12 countries and 19 cities, Tripod provides precision multilayer PCB manufacturing, reliable delivery schedules, and cost-effective solutions to a global customer base.

As part of its commitment to continuous innovation, Tripod began the development of hydrogen production equipment in 2023, expanding its technological expertise beyond PCB manufacturing. In 2022, the company’s consolidated revenue exceeded 1.99 billion USD, reflecting its strong market position and financial stability. Tripod continues to invest in next-generation manufacturing processes, cutting-edge equipment, and sustainable business practices to drive long-term growth. By combining advanced technology, manufacturing expertise, and a commitment to excellence, Tripod Technology Corporation remains at the forefront of the global PCB industry, shaping the future of electronics and clean energy solutions.

About Tripod Nanotechnology Corporation

Originating from a chemical research division within Tripod Technology Corporation, Tripod Nanotechnology Corporation specializes in noble metal electroplating, precious metal recycling solutions, and the production and application of nanomaterials. Established in 2018, Tripod Nanotechnology has been recognized with the National Innovation Award for three consecutive years and holds multiple patents across Australia, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, the UK, and the United States.

Tripod Nanotechnology is a pioneer in hydrogen energy and biomedical applications, offering advanced PEM membrane electrodes, PEM electrolyzer, and nanomaterials for medical diagnostics and antimicrobial purposes. The company is also deeply committed to ESG and Circular Economy principles, pioneering noble metal recycling technologies and sustainable solutions for PCB dust recovery and reuse. With a strong foundation in material science innovation, Tripod Nanotechnology tailors its solutions to different manufacturing processes, enhancing product value and sustainability across industries.

New £1.5M UK-Taiwan Initiative Targets Next-Gen Hydrogen Production

• Schaeffler’s hydrogen electrolyzer makes industrial production more sustainable
• Expanded hydrogen portfolio covers the entire hydrogen value chain
• Schaeffler bipolar plates with Enertect coating make hydrogen applications even more powerful

The Motion Technology Company Schaeffler is showcasing innovative technologies for the future field of hydrogen at the Hannover Messe. The company takes a holistic view of the hydrogen value chain and, with its decades of product expertise, offers solutions for both the production and use of this sustainable energy carrier. At the Hannover Messe, Schaeffler will present electrolyzers with outputs of up to 1 megawatt, as well as fuel cell stacks and bipolar plates featuring the innovative Enertect coating. This multi-award-winning coating is free of precious metals and excels in hydrogen applications due to its exceptional electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.

“Schaeffler’s goal is to drive the energy transition and thus the decarbonization of various industrial sectors,” says Florian Windisch, head of the Hydrogen business unit at Schaeffler. “To achieve this, industrial-scale production of green hydrogen is crucial. At Schaeffler, we focus on the entire hydrogen value chain – from production via electrolysis to the use of hydrogen in fuel cells.”

Electrolyzers for industrial applications

At the Hannover Messe, Schaeffler will demonstrate how the use of green hydrogen in production can contribute to the energy transition in the industrial sector. At the heart of the display is a 1-megawatt electrolyzer capable of producing around 450 kilograms of hydrogen per day. Schaeffler’s product range includes Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer stacks with scalable outputs ranging from 50 kW to 1 MW. Smaller electrolyzers are also available without membranes, making them ideal for research and development projects.

A key advantage of Schaeffler’s electrolyzer is its robust design, which enables a high power density due to a large active cell area. These characteristics make PEM electrolyzers highly versatile and particularly suitable for demanding applications where efficiency and reliability are essential. They can be integrated into hydrogen production systems on a small, medium, or large industrial scale – from decentralized commercial applications to hydrogen production linked directly to renewable energy sources, as well as hydrogen supply and refueling systems.

The entire manufacturing process for the metallic bipolar plates takes place in-house at Schaeffler. Picture: Schaeffler AG

Innovative fuel cell stacks and bipolar plates
Another element of the hydrogen value chain is the use of hydrogen. Schaeffler is presenting an innovative fuel cell stack that, despite its low weight of less than 0.5 kg/kW, offers a particularly high power density for e-mobility applications. The fuel cell stack features an advanced bipolar plate coating system that can be customized to meet specific customer requirements. The company has also developed the Enertect coating family, which can be used in both electrolyzers and fuel cell systems. Enertect is free of precious metals and offers extremely high corrosion resistance. The coating reduces the CO2 footprint of the bipolar plate by more than 75 percent and significantly increases the efficiency of both fuel cells and electrolyzers. The entire manufacturing process for the metallic bipolar plates takes place in-house at Schaeffler.

Schaeffler at the Hannover Messe
Schaeffler’s innovative hydrogen technologies will be on display at the Hannover Messe from March 31 to April 4, 2025, in Hall 5, at Booth D18. Additionally, Schaeffler will have a dedicated hydrogen booth located in Hall 13, at Booth E41/1. As part of the Schaeffler program, a presentation titled “Metallic Bipolar Plate Production: Challenges & Mitigation Strategies” will take place on April 2, 2025, at 1:45 p.m. This event is part of the “Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe” program in Hall 13, Booth A30.

Power to Hydrogen has closed a $20M+ Series A funding round with strategic investments from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines—via its corporate venture capital arm MOL Switch LLC—and Karpowership’s innovation division, Kinetics. The funding will support the commercial launch and scaled production of Power to Hydrogen’s proprietary Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer systems, designed to deliver affordable, efficient green hydrogen at scale

Columbus, OH--Power to Hydrogen, a leading innovator in advanced electrolysis systems, is announcing a strategic investment from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, through its corporate venture capital arm MOL Switch LLC, and Karpowership through its new technologies arm Kinetics, to complete an oversubscribed Series A round. This investment will enable the company to begin deploying commercial electrolysis systems and expand production capacity for its proprietary Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology. Including this investment, the total oversubscribed Series A round secured over $20M in funding for Power to Hydrogen.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Karpowership’s participation highlights the increasing demand for hydrogen, e-methanol, and green ammonia as zero-carbon shipping fuels and Power to Hydrogen’s commitment to providing accessible hydrogen solutions.

The investment will specifically support:

• Expanded Project Delivery Capabilities: Scaling up production and operations teams to meet the increasing demand for Power to Hydrogen’s electrolyzer systems.
• Global Market Expansion: Growing Power to Hydrogen’s reach and establishing a stronger presence in key markets where hydrogen is needed, such as sustainable fuel production.

Power to Hydrogen’s AEM electrolyzer technology is designed to produce hydrogen from behind the meter renewable electricity with lower-cost electrolyzers, which is a key area of focus for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Karpowership. Power to Hydrogen’s AEM electrolyzer technology offers high performance at a lower cost by using abundant materials. These advantages are critical to driving the cost of sustainable maritime fuels down, such as e- methanol and green ammonia.

This investment comes at a crucial time as the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) is driving towards the adoption of measures to reduce international shipping emissions by 70-80% by 2040. The IMO is considering a maritime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pricing mechanism for international shipping. The key purpose of the mandatory GHG charge will be to reduce the cost gap between zero/near- zero GHG emission (ZNZ) fuels (such as e-methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen) and conventional marine fuels, to incentivize the accelerated uptake of green energy sources.

“This strategic investment from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Karpowership is a promising step towards producing lower emissions shipping fuels.,” said Paul Matter, Co-Founder and CEO at Power to Hydrogen. “With the increasing pressure to decarbonize shipping and the IMO’s initiatives to promote zero-emission fuels, we see a significant opportunity for green hydrogen, e-methanol, and green ammonia to become the dominant fuels of the future. Our electrolyzers offer a cost-effective and scalable solution to meet this growing demand.”

“We are pleased to invest in Power to Hydrogen as a strategic partner. Green hydrogen will play a key role in the energy transition and Power to Hydrogen’s innovative technologies contribute to making it more cost-competitive and scalable. MOL is committed to decarbonizing the maritime industry and advancing the clean energy supply chain. This partnership aligns with our vision for a sustainable future and strengthens our efforts in next-generation fuel adoption. We look forward to working together to drive innovation and accelerate the transition to clean energy” said Tomoaki Ichida, CEO at MOL Switch.

“We are thrilled to announce this strategic investment partnership, marking a critical milestone in our continued legacy of innovation as well as our ambition in new technologies and the future of our business and, eventually, for our planet. As one of the leading energy transition names with the largest Powership fleet in the world, we are committed to not only providing power solutions for today but also future-proofing tomorrow’s grids. We know that the need for reliable power increases every day and we are responsible to address that demand in the most sustainable ways possible. Taking our first venture capital investment into hydrogen electrolysis together with our long-standing partner MOL’s VC fund MOL Switch, also represents our commitments in “Partnerships for the Goals.” said Mehmet Katmer, General Manager of Karpowership’s new clean technology arm Kinetics.

Power to Hydrogen’s previously announced Series A funding round was led by Rev1 Ventures and strategic investor Worthington Enterprises, a designer and manufacturer of market-leading brands in building products, consumer products, and sustainable energy solutions. The round previously included Finindus, JERA, Asahi Kasei, American Electric Power, EDP Ventures, E.ON, ESB, FH Capital, and INP Capital.

About Power to Hydrogen

Power to Hydrogen is a designer and manufacturer of advanced electrolysis systems based in Columbus, Ohio. The company’s innovative AEM electrolyzer technology offers a low-cost, high-performance alternative to existing options for producing clean hydrogen. Power to Hydrogen’s systems are designed for easy installation and integration with renewable energy sources, enabling companies to produce “green” hydrogen efficiently. Power to Hydrogen’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy by providing reliable, cost-effective, and accessible hydrogen solutions.

Power to Hydrogen Secures Strategic Investment