NZTC awards £500k to accelerate UK electrolyser development
The UK electrolyser technology sector has been given a boost with the announcement of three winners of the Net Zero Technology Centre’s (NZTC) 2024 Electrolyser funding competition.
Efficient electrolysers are key to cost-effective and large-scale green hydrogen production. Research from phase one of NZTC’s Energy Hubs project identified the need to accelerate the development of next-generation electrolyser technologies to meet future domestic and global hydrogen demand. Taking action, NZTC is pushing forward the development of prototypes, with a goal to pilot. This initiative aims to scale the Scottish supply chain and establish an export market.
NZTC is pushing forward the development of prototypes
Thirty-six applications were received from around the globe with three UK electrolyser developers selected. Each will each receive a share of the £500,000 funding to accelerate the development of their technology. The winners are:
- Clyde Hydrogen Systems is set to revolutionise the green hydrogen sector with its breakthrough decoupled electrolysis technology which offers flexibility and opportunities not possible with existing electrolysers. Hydrogen and oxygen are produced separately at different times and rates, enhancing safety and reducing costs. The technology produces high pressure hydrogen without mechanical compression and is highly compatible with intermittent renewable energy sources as it can safely produce gas steams even at extremely low power inputs.
- Aqsorption Ltd’s high pressure membraneless electrolyser technology is designed to be more efficient and operate at higher pressures than other technologies, with reduced maintenance costs. The membraneless design reduces reliance on expensive rare earth minerals. The system efficiency will be boosted even further by recapturing kinetic energy from the high-pressure oxygen output.
- Latent Drive’s SeaStack technology is an innovative direct seawater-to-hydrogen electrolyser with a unique cell design to exploit the properties of seawater, eliminating the need for desalination and purification of the feed water. This means that SeaStack can move hydrogen production offshore for close coupling to the energy supply at windfarms, and will capture more wind energy at a lower cost - reducing the cost of Green Hydrogen! The marinised design and minimum balance-of-plant hugely reduce the burden of maintenance - ideal for severe environments at floating offshore wind platforms, and also port installations for refuelling working vessels or port infrastructure.
Enabling gigawatt scale energy hubs
The Energy Hubs project aims to develop energy infrastructure across Scotland to produce large-scale green hydrogen and alternative fuels by harnessing the country’s natural resources. The hydrogen produced in Energy Hubs will transform Scotland into a leading exporter of green hydrogen, with plans to export over 0.9 million tonnes to Europe every year via a dedicated hydrogen pipeline.
Electrolysers, which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, are a critical technology for success.
Darren Gee, ETF Programme Manager, NZTC said:
“Electrolyser technology is an exciting sector right now, and the technological breakthroughs of today will pave the way for the green energy solutions of tomorrow.
In Phase 1 of our Energy Hubs project, we identified an urgent need to accelerate the efficiency of electrolyser operation. In Phase 2, we are taking action. Together with key industry partners, we identified three groundbreaking UK technologies from a remarkably strong field of applicants. 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 forwards and make a direct impact on the future of green hydrogen production in Scotland.”
Alasdair Allan, Acting Minister for Climate Action said:
“Our energy sector, and the development of green hydrogen in particular, will play a crucial role in growing Scotland’s economy and delivering on our net zero targets. I am pleased to see this welcome progress in funding innovation in large scale green hydrogen production, supported by the Scottish Government's Energy Transition Fund.”
