Electrolysers

What is Electrolysers?

Electrolysers are cutting-edge devices that use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process known as electrolysis. As the world shifts towards renewable energy, electrolysers play a crucial role in producing green hydrogen—a clean, sustainable fuel that can be used across various industries to reduce carbon emissions and foster a low-carbon economy.

How Electrolysers Work

The process of electrolysis involves passing an electric current through water to separate it into its basic components:

  1. Water Input: Water (H₂O) is supplied to the electrolyser.
  2. Electric Current: Electricity, ideally generated from renewable sources like wind or solar, is applied to the electrolyser.
  3. Hydrogen Production: The electrolyser splits water molecules into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂). Hydrogen is collected for use, while oxygen is usually released into the atmosphere or captured for industrial applications.

Types of Electrolysers

Electrolysers come in different types, each suited to specific applications and scales of hydrogen production:

  1. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolysers: Known for their efficiency and fast response times, PEM electrolysers are ideal for integration with renewable energy sources like solar and wind. They are compact and operate at lower temperatures, making them suitable for decentralized hydrogen production.
  2. Alkaline Electrolysers: The most established type, alkaline electrolysers are widely used in industrial applications. They operate at lower costs but are generally larger and slower in response compared to PEM electrolysers. They are commonly used for large-scale hydrogen production.
  3. Solid Oxide Electrolysers (SOE): Operating at high temperatures, SOEs offer high efficiency and the ability to utilize heat from industrial processes, making them ideal for large-scale applications. They can also produce syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) when co-electrolyzing water and carbon dioxide.

Applications of Electrolysers

Electrolysers are central to the production of green hydrogen, which has a wide range of applications across various industries:

  1. Energy Storage and Grid Balancing: Electrolysers are used to convert excess electricity from renewable sources into hydrogen, which can be stored and used later to generate electricity or power fuel cells. This helps balance supply and demand in the power grid, providing a reliable way to store renewable energy over long periods.
  2. Industrial Applications: Green hydrogen produced by electrolysers is used in various industrial processes, such as: Methanol Production: Green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide is used to make green methanol. Ammonia Production: Hydrogen is a key ingredient in ammonia synthesis, which is used to produce fertilizers and other chemicals. Refining: Hydrogen is used in refining processes to remove impurities from fuels, such as sulfur. Steel Manufacturing: Green hydrogen can replace coal in steel production, significantly reducing carbon emissions from this energy-intensive industry.
  3. Transportation: Hydrogen produced by electrolysers is used to fuel hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs), offering a clean alternative to gasoline and diesel. Electrolysers can be deployed at refueling stations to produce hydrogen on-site, supporting the growing hydrogen mobility sector.
  4. Power-to-X: Electrolysers are integral to Power-to-X technologies, where renewable electricity is converted into hydrogen and then into other forms of energy carriers, such as synthetic fuels or chemicals. This enables the storage and transport of renewable energy in various forms, enhancing energy security and flexibility.

Benefits of Electrolysers

Electrolysers offer several key benefits, particularly in the context of the global energy transition:

  1. Environmental Sustainability: When powered by renewable energy, electrolysers produce green hydrogen with zero carbon emissions, contributing to the decarbonization of various sectors.
  2. Scalability: Electrolysers can be scaled to meet different hydrogen production needs, from small on-site units for specific applications to large industrial systems for mass production.
  3. Energy Security: Electrolysers enable the production of hydrogen locally, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and enhancing energy independence.
  4. Flexibility: Electrolysers can be integrated with various energy systems, including renewable energy sources, and can operate in different environments, from industrial plants to remote locations.