Tokyo Gas and H2U to develop iridium-free PEM electrolysers
The two firms have signed a multi-year joint development agreement with the ambition to reduce proton-exchange-membrane electrolyser costs and protect against supply chain risk
Japan’s Tokyo Gas and California-based startup H2U Technologies have entered a multi-year joint development agreement aimed at developing iridium-free proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolysers. PEM electrolysers are able to ramp up and down in response to fluctuating input, making them well-suited for direct connection to renewable assets. However, they are significantly more expensive than alkaline electrolysers, in part due to the use of platinum group metals (PGM)—iridium in particular—as catalysts. These rare metals present a potential bottleneck for green hydrogen, with consultancy Rystad estimating that PGM usage in electrolysers must fall by 70–80pc to prevent constraints on PEM el
Also in this section
3 May 2024
Australia’s Fortescue and France’s EDF Renewables among the successful bidders as second-round auction draws green hydrogen projects worth about $11b
1 May 2024
High costs and uncertainty over offtake agreements are delaying project investment decisions, according to Aurora Energy Research
1 May 2024
Low clearing prices in first European Hydrogen Bank auction reflect fierce competition for green hydrogen subsidies and buyers’ willingness to pay premium
1 May 2024
Japanese company launches test module at Takasago Hydrogen Park with aim to deploy megawatt-scale demonstration project of electrolyser technology