According to the company, the system marks the first commercial deployment of P2H2’s M-Class Hybrid AEM electrolyzers. The 0.5-MW system is based on 250-kW stack modules and , according to the company, is the world’s first project to use stacks of this size. Once commissioned, it is expected to be the first AEM system to demonstrate renewable hydrogen production in an industrial port environment under real-world operating conditions.
The project at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is supported by the “Free Electrons” innovation program , which was founded in 2017. The program is funded by utility companies, including American Electric Power Company Inc., Energias de Portugal SA (EDP), the German energy company E.ON SE, the Irish electricity company Electricity Supply Board (ESB), the Australian energy provider Origin Energy, and the Chinese energy provider CLP Group.
The choice of materials is intended to reduce CAPEX
The technology relies on more cost-effective materials such as steel and nickel instead of the more expensive precious metals used in PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolyzers. According to the company, when combined with its performance, this can reduce CAPEX costs by up to 65 percent compared to comparable PEM systems. The system is also designed for dynamic operation and is said to respond to load changes in less than 50 milliseconds. This is intended to reduce the need for compression.
Plant Aims to Meet Commercial Demand for Hydrogen
The project at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is intended to meet the region’s commercial demand for hydrogen in both the mobility sector and industrial applications. Holthausen Clean Technology, a regional supplier of industrial gases and hydrogen-powered trucks, will be a key customer during the initial market launch. The electrolyzer system is expected to generate commercial revenue starting in its first year of operation and to serve additional customers over time. Paul Matter, CEO of P2H2, explained that the project serves as a blueprint for expanding implementation across Europe.
The system is scheduled to go live in September.
