The UK electrolyser technology sector is set to advance with the announcement of three winners in the Net Zero Technology Centre's (NZTC) 2024 Electrolyser funding competition. This initiative highlights the crucial role of efficient electrolysers in enabling cost-effective and large-scale production of green hydrogen.
Research conducted during the first phase of NZTC's Energy Hubs project underscored the necessity for accelerating the development of next-generation electrolyser technologies to meet both domestic and global hydrogen demands. In response, the NZTC is advancing the creation of prototypes with the intention of piloting them. This effort aims to strengthen the Scottish supply chain and establish an export market for hydrogen technologies.
A total of 36 applications were submitted from around the world, with three UK electrolyser developers selected to receive a share of the £500,000 funding to expedite the development of their respective technologies.
The winning projects include Clyde Hydrogen Systems, which is working on a decoupled electrolysis technology. This innovative approach allows hydrogen and oxygen to be produced separately at varying rates, enhancing safety and reducing operational costs. The technology also generates high-pressure hydrogen without the need for mechanical compression and demonstrates compatibility with intermittent renewable energy sources, enabling gas production even at low power inputs.
Another recipient, Aqsorption, is developing a high-pressure membrane-less electrolyser technology aimed at improving efficiency and operating at higher pressures than traditional systems, all while reducing maintenance costs. By eliminating the reliance on costly rare earth minerals, this design further enhances system efficiency by capturing kinetic energy from the high-pressure oxygen output.
Latent Drive's SeaStack technology stands out as a direct seawater-to-hydrogen electrolyser that utilizes a unique cell design to harness the properties of seawater. This approach eliminates the need for desalination and purification of feed water, allowing SeaStack to facilitate hydrogen production offshore, closely linked to energy supplies from offshore wind farms.
Darren Gee, ETF Programme Manager at NZTC, remarked, “These technologies are scalable and have the potential to significantly push the boundaries of hydrogen production. By supporting technologies at an early stage of their development, we have an opportunity to drive this technology forward and make a direct impact on the future of green hydrogen production in Scotland.”
