New Energies, new possibilities

Indian and Singaporean start-up Hydgen has raised $1.5m to scale its decentralised AEM green hydrogen production technology to meet demand in small and mid-sized industries.

The seed round, led by Cloudberry Pioneer Investments, saw participation from the National University of Singapore (NUS), TK & Partners, and angel investors.

The funding will support the development of a 2MW manufacturing facility in India to scale production of its AEM electrolysers, develop a 25kW single-stack system, and begin expanding across India and Southeast Asia.

By focusing on decentralised, on-site production for small- to mid-size industries, the start-up says it can eliminate transportation costs, storage risks and emissions, “offering industries a resilient, self-sufficient alternative” to traditional hydrogen sourcing.

Hydgen Chairman, Michael Gryseels, said, “Our technology makes hydrogen production local, cost-effective and scalable – empowering industries to take control of their energy needs.

“This funding marks a crucial step in our journey to scale production and make green hydrogen an everyday reality for more industries worldwide.”

The AEM technology is based on “triple proprietary innovations,” which Hydgen says delivers increased current density, increased stability and lower CAPEX. AEM is being looked at as the next key electrolysis technology, taking the advantages of alkaline and PEM to offer a safer and cheaper alternative. However, still in infancy, the technology faces durability challenges before becoming widespread.

Having spun out of an NUS programme, Hydgen says its catalyst and coating designs increase hydrogen production by a factor of 2.5 and reduce electricity consumption by up to 20%, compared to “other AEM electrolyser systems currently on the market.”

Mahir Sahin, Managing Partner of Cloudberry Pioneer Investments, described the technology as a “game-changer.”

“[The] technology has the potential to drive cost-effective adoption in high-demand regions.”

As larger green hydrogen projects have stalled amid high costs and demand uncertainty, more established electrolyser makers are expecting smaller-scale projects to make up the majority of their near-term demand. https://www.h2-view.com/story/aem-start-up-raises-1-5m-to-meet-decentralised-smaller-scale-hydrogen-demand/2121843.article/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Daily%20Hydrogen%20Highlights&utm_content=Daily%20Daily%20Hydrogen%20Highlights+CID_65aabc6b510f2f06f647013369ee40f8&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=AEM%20start-up%20raises%2015m%20to%20meet%20decentralised%20smaller-scale%20hydrogen%20demand

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HYDGEN Secures $1.5M to Drive Decentralized Green Hydrogen Solutions

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:

Leading Hydrogen Innovator Horizon Fuel Cell has taken the first steps towards electrolyser assembly in India to serve the growing market for green hydrogen

SINGAPORE, September 10, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Horizon Fuel Cell electrolyser subsidiary HET Hydrogen Pte Ltd is working with long-term Horizon distribution partner on the new JV, Indify Fuel Cell Private Ltd, which aims to establish assembly facilities capable of turning out GW quantities of electrolysers in two stages, with the startup phase able to assemble at least 100MW per year, expected to be operational early 2026.

Green hydrogen is being prioritized under the Government of India’s “Green Hydrogen Mission”, which foresees and incentivises massive uptake of sustainable hydrogen in search of cleaner industry, decarbonised transportation and new export opportunities. HET expects to play a key role as India seeks to take a global lead in the adoption of hydrogen in several sectors.

HET has commercialised MW-scale Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers and is preparing to launch MW-scale AEM electrolysers based on proprietary membrane and stack technology that is shaping up to change the game on electrolysers, with target capital costs around the level of traditional alkaline systems and operating costs substantially lower than current state-of-the-art PEM systems.

HET has identified several potential manufacturing locations and will confirm the preferred location in the coming months. With several facilities in operation, the Horizon Group is well versed in the capital-efficient construction of world-class production capabilities in fuel cell and electrolyser technologies.

Indify expects to have their first 1MW HET electrolyser operational in India around March 2025, ready for customer demonstration and local performance and technical validation. Indify will progressively increase the Indian content in future systems with an explicit goal of delivering the lowest possible levelised cost of green hydrogen for projects large and small. All while responding to the Make In India priorities of the Government of India.

In recent months several initiatives have been undertaken with the aim of kick-starting both hydrogen production and several key applications for hydrogen. Green steel, fertilizer and chemicals, along with sustainable fuels and zero emission heavy transport, are all envisaged to leverage some of the world’s lowest cost green hydrogen in the future decarbonised economy of India.

Stefani Sun
Horizon Fuel Cell
+1 585-200-9227

Horizon to Set up Electrolyser Gigafactory in India (einpresswire.com)

　アルカリ水電解（AWE）やプロトン交換膜（PEM）に比べて、開発メーカーが極端に少なかったのがアニオン交換膜（AEM）形水電解装置である。ただし、技術的にはAWEとPEMのいいとこ取りとも言われ、優れた点が多い。特に、触媒に高価なレアメタルが不要で、コストをPEMに比べて大幅に下げられる可能性がある。

　課題は耐久性の確保で、セルスタックはまだPEMの数分の1程度の時間しか使えないもようだ。この点についてこれまで唯一、製品化していたドイツEnapterの戦略は、電気自動車（EV）を刷新した米Tesla（テスラ）のそれに似ている。つまり、非常に小さなモジュールを多数使い、制御していくことだ（図1）。

図1　Enapterは超小型モジュール戦略を採用

世界で初めてAEM形水電解装置を製品化したEnapterのシステム拡大戦略。最小構成では、セルスタックと補器を寸法が482mm×635mm×266mmと、机に載るほど小型の筐体に収めた（a）。規模拡大時は、セルスタックの数を増やす一方、補器を共通化する（b）。セルスタック420個から成るシステムも開発中だ（c）（出所：（a）は日経クロステック、（b）、（c）はEnapter）

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　具体的には、MW級の大型装置でも、出力が0.5Nm3/時と手で持てるほど超小型のセルスタックを多数使う設計にした。こうすると、セルスタックが1つ壊れても制御で全体には影響が出ないようにでき、交換も容易になる。Enapter製品の輸入代理店の1つで機械系商社兼システムインテグレーターの三國機械工業 環境プロジェクト本部 プラント営業部長の三田逸郎氏は、「数を量産することが、コスト低減への早道という考えもEnapterにはあるようだ」という。

　三田氏によれば、あまり知られていないAEMの特長として、カソード側に漏れてくる水がPEMに比べて大幅に少ない点を挙げる（図2）。PEMでは水が漏れるのを防ぐ仕組みがないのに対し、AEMでは隔膜を透過してきた水がカソードで即座に分解されるからのようだ。

図2　AEMは乾燥器が小さくてよい

AEM形水電解の特長の1つは、水がカソード側に漏れにくい点。PEMでは水はプロトンの単なる運び役で、カソードから多くが漏れ出てしまう。一方、AEMでは、カソードに到達した水は即座に還元され、水素の形で発生すると同時に、OH－はアノードに向かう。結果、漏れてくる水は少ない。これで、水の大型タンクや大型の乾燥器（ドライヤー）が不要になり、システム全体のコストやランニングコストが低減する（出所：日経クロステック）

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部材では激しいシェア競争も

　最近は、Enapterに続く装置メーカーや部材メーカーも複数登場してきた。例えば、カナダCipher Neutronは2023年8月以降、AEM形の製品を幾つかのグリーン水素プロジェクトに納入し始めた。ただし、現時点では装置の規模は10kWと小型だ。特長は、PFASフリーであることだとする。

　また、第2部で紹介した、工場の規模が計画では15GWと現時点で世界最大の米EvolOHもAEMを採用した。

　AEM向け隔膜またはMEAでは、実はトクヤマやドイツFumatechが以前から製品を出荷している。最近はこれに、米Dioxide MaterialsやドイツEvonik Industriesも参戦。さらに、上述のようにパナソニックも、NiFe-LDHをアノードに用いたMEAで参戦する（図3）。近い将来、競争が急速に激しくなりそうだ。

（a）アノードにNiFe-LDHを用いたAEM用MEA

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図3　パナソニックはAEMにも参戦

パナソニックのAEM膜（a）。AWEと同様、アノードの触媒にNiFe-LDH（Layered Double Hydroxides）を利用。隔膜にはAgfa-Gevaertの競合品を用いた。従来のIrO2触媒に比べて低い過電圧を実現できるという（b）（出所：（a）はパナソニック、（b）は同社の資料に日経クロステックが加筆して作成）

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後発の水電解技術AEMにも参戦続々、耐久性克服なら主役級 | 日経クロステック（xTECH） (nikkei.com)

 

後発の水電解技術AEMにも参戦続々、耐久性克服なら主役級

　アルカリ水電解（AWE）やプロトン交換膜（PEM）に比べて、開発メーカーが極端に少なかったのがアニオン交換膜（AEM）形水電解装置である。ただし、技術的にはAWEとPEMのいいとこ取りとも

xtech.nikkei.com