Power to Hydrogen partners with Global Utility Leaders AEP, EDP, E.ON, and ESB to commission first North American pilot of AEM electrolyzer technology.

by | Aug 31, 2023 | Press Releases

Global utility leaders American Electric Power (AEP), Energias de Portugal (EDP), E.ON, and Electricity Supply Board (ESB) have commissioned the first ever pilot of AEM Electrolyzer technology developed in North America. The pilot will demonstrate Power to Hydrogen’s patented technology for low-cost clean hydrogen production.

The project between the global utilities and Power to Hydrogen is focused on demonstrating a 10kW AEM (anion exchange membrane) electrolysis system. The system produces enough hydrogen to power multiple homes in a day. AEM technology is viewed as a high potential breakthrough in the hydrogen industry due to its ability to integrate easily with renewables, while removing the need for expensive and supply chain constrained metals like titanium, gold, platinum, and iridium. By removing these materials, the AEM electrolysis stack can be up to 70% cheaper than existing PEM electrolyzer stacks. Those types of cost reductions are critical to reaching a $2/kg hydrogen cost target, which can put clean hydrogen at a competitive level with fossil fuels.

While AEM technology provides significant promise for the hydrogen industry, the technology is still in its scale-up phase. The 10kW electrolysis stack used in this project is 4x more powerful than the previous largest AEM stack ever installed with a customer globally. The utility pilot is currently taking place at American Electric Power’s innovation facility in Columbus, Ohio. After successful completion of this pilot, the groups intend to test an industrial scale version of the technology (0.5MW) in 2024 at a site that will be publicly announced later this year. These pilots are focused on getting the technology to a 10MW+ commercial scale system to make a significant impact on decarbonization.

Power to Hydrogen (P2H2) is a leader in commercializing AEM electrolysis technology for clean hydrogen production and energy storage. The company has developed a patented cell design that solves the durability challenges related to AEM electrolyzers. P2H2 is the second company globally to install an AEM electrolyzer with a customer and the first company from North America to accomplish this milestone. “Our hybrid liquid alkaline/membrane technology is critical to allowing hydrogen to reach its decarbonization potential. While existing electrolysis technologies are dependent on using steady, grid electricity that is often carbon intense or mining rare metals that cause additional ecological issues, our technology charts a course to avoid both of those issues. With the Free Electrons collaboration, we want to help decarbonize our electrical grid and the industrial processes that power our economy,” said Power to Hydrogen CEO, Paul Matter.

AEP, EDP, E.ON, and ESB are partnering together on this project as a part of their Free Electrons program, the leading innovation program for global utilities working to decarbonize the grid. Head of Innovation Pipeline at ESB, John McKiernan, had this to say about the project, “Climate change is relentless. We urgently need to pivot to 100% clean energy. A step change breakthrough in storage cost is imperative to hit NetZero. We are at 40% clean electricity in Ireland already, but a paradigm shift in storage tech is now needed to hit 100%. The Power to Hydrogen 10kW demo unit at AEP’s Ohio facility offers genuine potential to crack the hydrogen price point challenge. We are excited about the prospects for low cost containerised “lego blocks” that we can assemble into megawatt scale facilities. Low-cost green hydrogen is the missing piece of the puzzle that we urgently need to solve before climate change goes beyond the tipping point. ESB is delighted to be collaborating with our FREE ELECTRONS partners AEP, EDP and EON to help P2H2 prove the viability and reliability of this unique H2 solution. It’s not rocket science, but they are working with NASA! In future, history may very well show this technology was the linchpin for global NetZero.”

About the Companies

Power to Hydrogen is a US-Based clean hydrogen startup located in Columbus, Ohio. The company is setting out to make clean hydrogen competitive against fossil fuels. The company has also been funded by other strategic partners, and major U.S. institutions, including NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and ARPA-E, the advanced research projects agency of the DOE. https://power-h2.com/

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 6,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2032. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit https://www.aep.com/

Present in 29 markets, EDP is a global energy company engaged in electricity and gas production, transport, distribution and trading. With around 13,000 employees and over 12 million customers, EDP is at the forefront of innovation and renewable energies, and it has recently committed to even more ambitious clean energy targets, including becoming all green by 2030. https://www.edp.com/en

ESB is Ireland’s leading energy utility with operations spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution and energy supply.  Since 1927, it has worked to enhance the lives of customers, support economic growth and ensure a brighter future for all.  Today that means taking leadership in the transition to a low carbon future, with a target to reach net zero by 2040.  Through our portfolio of brands, ESB Networks, Electric Ireland, ESB International and NIE Networks, we are removing carbon from our generation fleet, creating a smart network to support a low carbon energy system and developing new products and services to help our customers manage their energy use more efficiently. www.esb.ie

E.ON is one of Europe’s largest operators of energy infrastructure and a provider of innovative solutions for more than 50 million customers. Thus, we are decisively driving forward the energy transition in Europe and are committed to sustainability, climate protection, and the future of our planet. As an important part of E.ON’s business, Energy Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) is best positioned to become the change agent for the sustainable energy transition. As a long-term energy partner for cities, municipalities, real estate and industrial customers, EIS offers technical infrastructure solutions that improve the carbon footprint of the customers. https://www.eon.com/en

The D.O.E.’s Hydrogen Program Plan

by | Aug 15, 2023 | Market Insights

Introduction

The U.S. Department of Energy (the D.O.E.) released the Hydrogen Program Plan in 2023. This plan outlines the importance of hydrogen, the purpose of the program, and the focus of research and development (R&D). The release of this plan serves as a pivotal moment in the U.S.’s commitment to transitioning towards a more sustainable and greener future. Hydrogen, known for its exceptional energy density and low environmental impact, has the potential to revolutionize the way we power our industries, transportation systems, and communities.

The Program’s Focus

The primary objective of the D.O.E.’s Hydrogen Program is to accelerate the commercial adoption of hydrogen technologies. The three goals they are prioritizing are: targeting strategic, high-impact uses for clean hydrogen, reducing the cost of clean hydrogen, and focusing on regional networks. By fostering partnerships between government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions, the program aims to create an ecosystem that incentivizes investment in hydrogen-related R&D projects.

One key aspect of the program’s focus is the advancement of hydrogen production, storage, and utilization technologies. Clean hydrogen can be produced by many avenues, including water-splitting using renewable or nuclear power, from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage, and biomass or waste feedstocks. The DOE is funding an increasing amount of carbon capture and storage projects around the U.S.. Hydrogen can also utilize technologies by enabling renewables through long-duration energy storage and offering flexibility and multiple revenue streams to clean power generation.

The plan outlines a comprehensive roadmap that entails developing efficient and cost-effective methods for producing and storing hydrogen, while also catalyzing advancements in fuel cell technologies for its utilization. Through these endeavors, the D.O.E. aims to establish hydrogen as a readily available and economically viable solution for meeting the U.S.’s energy demands.

The Hydrogen Program Plan Roadmap

The roadmap outlines three categories: National decarbonization goals, strategies to enable the benefits of clean hydrogen, and guiding principles and national actions guiding principles.

The first category, national decarbonization goals include 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Achieving net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050 requires transformational advances in energy infrastructure and many other sectors of the economy.

Graph showcasing the U.S.'s decarbonization goals.

The second category, strategies to enable the benefits of clean hydrogen, outlines three key strategies to ensure a clean hydrogen future. First, the use of clean hydrogen will be focused in sectors that are hard to decarbonize rather than potentially competing with existing low carbon solutions like electric vehicles for personal transportation. Second, the U.S. can dramatically lower the delivered cost of clean hydrogen by developing sustainable and supply-resilient pathways. Third, scale can be achieved strategically by focusing on regional networks, ramping up hydrogen production and end-use in close proximity to drive down transport and infrastructure costs and create holistic ecosystems that provide local benefits.

The third category, guiding principles and national actions guiding principles, ensure federal agencies will use the guiding principles showcased below as the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap is developed and continuously refined. Principles of equity and justice are a high priority, consistent with the Biden Administration’s commitments to ensure that overburdened, underserved, and underrepresented individuals and communities have access to Federal resources.

Graphic describing the eight categories of the guiding principles for federal agencies.

Furthermore, the Hydrogen Program Plan seeks to facilitate the deployment and integration of hydrogen technologies across various sectors. By fostering early-stage market developments and promoting demonstrations of hydrogen-driven applications, the program aims to build confidence in the viability of hydrogen as a mainstream energy source. This strategic approach not only allows for sustainable economic growth but also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the D.O.E.’s Hydrogen Program Plan represents a significant milestone in the U.S.’s pursuit of a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. By prioritizing R&D efforts, fostering collaboration, and promoting the deployment of hydrogen technologies, this plan paves the way for a brighter tomorrow. As we continue to face challenges in meeting our energy needs without harming the environment, it is reassuring to witness the commitment and dedication of government agencies in supporting innovative solutions.

The European Commission’s Investment Agenda

by | Aug 15, 2023 | Market Insights

The European Union (EU) is looking to the future of energy and has identified hydrogen as an important component of its ongoing energy transition. To this end, the European Commission has proposed a dedicated investment agenda to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen technologies.

The European Commission’s investment agenda covers the production, transport, storage, and use of hydrogen, as well as the research and development of new technologies. The Commission’s plans aim to ensure a secure, reliable, and sustainable energy supply in the EU, while also helping to meet the EU’s climate goals.

stock image of hydrogen storage

The Commission’s plans include an initial 180 billion euros of public and private investments, including 100 billion euros from the EU and its Member States, to finance the deployment of hydrogen technologies over the next decade. The Commission is also setting up the first-ever fuel cell and hydrogen observatory (FCHO), which will provide comprehensive data and analysis on developing and deploying hydrogen technologies in the EU. The FCHO was created for the use of policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the general public and is funded by the Fuel Cell Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU).

image of the FCHO website
graphic of the world with highlighted areas to show the suppliers the eu will be working with per the REPoowerEU plan

The Commission’s investment agenda also includes several measures to support the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies. These measures include support for research and innovation and funding for demonstration projects. REPowerEU, for example, plans to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels by diversifying supplies from international partners. Read more about REPowerEU here. The Commission is also looking at ways to remove regulatory and other barriers to the use of hydrogen. 

In addition to these measures, the Commission is also looking at ways to ensure that the benefits of hydrogen technologies are shared among all Member States. The Commission is proposing a common framework for market development and access, as well as the establishment of an EU-wide certification system. 

In conclusion, the European Commission’s investment agenda for hydrogen presents a major opportunity for the EU to move towards a clean energy future. The proposed measures and investments will help to ensure a secure, reliable, and sustainable energy supply while also helping to meet the EU’s climate goals. However, a number of challenges need to be addressed to ensure that the benefits of hydrogen technologies are shared among all Member States.

To learn more about the European Commission’s support of hydrogen, visit https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/strategy/hydrogen_en.

The Paris Agreement

by | Aug 15, 2023 | Market Insights

The Paris Agreement is a groundbreaking consensus reached by 195 nations in 2015 to address the pressing issue of climate change. The Agreement sets a global target of limiting the increase in global average temperature to well below two °C above preindustrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5°C. This is essential, considering global temperatures have been rising for decades, leading to devastating effects, such as more frequent and intense heatwaves, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more severe storms.

To achieve this target, countries agreed to cut emissions and take other measures to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Some measures include transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable transportation. Every country is expected to take responsibility and play an active role in reducing GHG emissions.

The Paris Agreement was officially enacted on November 4, 2016, after being ratified by more than 55 countries that represented over 55% of global emissions. As of October 2017, 175 countries had ratified the Agreement, accounting for more than 96% of global emissions. This is a significant milestone in the fight against climate change and a testament to the worldwide community’s commitment to sustainability goals.

The Agreement calls for regular reviews of progress, known as “stocktakes,” every five years to assess countries’ progress in meeting their commitments and to identify further actions needed. The first stocktake took place in November 2017, allowing nations to come together and review their progress toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. These two-year long reviews are critical in ensuring that countries are accountable for their commitments and are taking the necessary steps to reduce GHG emissions. The most recent stocktake was in 2022 and is scheduled to conclude at the UN Climate Change Conference at the end of 2023.

The Paris Agreement also established the Paris Agreement Foundation, a mechanism to provide financial support to developing countries to help them reduce their emissions and adapt to climate change. To date, the Foundation has received pledges totaling $2.3 billion. This financial support is essential in ensuring that developing countries can participate fully in the global effort to address climate change, as they often lack the resources and capacity to implement the necessary measures.

In conclusion, the Paris Agreement is a critical global consensus in the fight against climate change. It sets ambitious goals for limiting global warming and provides a framework for countries to work together towards these goals. Although the road ahead may be challenging, the Paris Agreement is a significant step in the right direction and provides hope for a sustainable future.