PEM Water Electrolyzers: Key Enabler of the Green Energy Transition?

Abstract

Green hydrogen generation via electrolysis is at the forefront of international debates, with an unprecedent momentum to implement hydrogen production for energy storage purposes. Various countries have already released hydrogen strategy documents, recognizing the high propositional value of hydrogen as the energy commodity of the future.Commercial polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolysis has reached scales of several hundred kg/day, a relevant milestone for industrial scale hydrogen generation using the PEM technology. Nevertheless, the PEM device still poses tremendous potential for continuing cost reduction, leveraging system and manufacturing scaling laws as well as advancements in nanomaterials, advanced manufacturing tools, and a circular economy for all PGM related components.Significant improvements in some of the highest cost elements have already been achieved, including by NEL Hydrogen. Many of the technology elements such as PFSA membranes, iridium electrodes, porous transport layers, etc. are well stablished, but still need to be refined and validated in a manufacturing environment at scale, including modifications in materials and novel yet economical methods of fabrication.This talk will describe some of the complex interactions between the elements above. We will include others such as future operating and durability/reliability requirements at scale. Finally, we will attempt to show how next generation PEM technologies will become fundamental for an ultimate energy transition based on hydrogen.