As the world hurtles towards a decarbonized future, hydrogen is emerging as a key energy carrier. Its clean-burning nature and versatility across sectors make it an ideal fuel for transportation, industry, and power generation.
However, a significant hurdle remains—the hydrogen electrolyzer cost issue. This concerns the cost of producing green hydrogen generated through water electrolysis using renewable energy sources.
This is where hydrogen electrolyzer manufacturers come in. They are pivotal in driving down production costs and accelerating the transition to a hydrogen-powered future.
The International Energy Agency projects that the cost of producing hydrogen from renewable electricity could fall by 30% by 2030.
This article will illuminate the companies leading the charge in making green hydrogen a commercially viable reality, from established players to emerging disruptors.
4 types of hydrogen electrolyzers (PEM,AEM, Alkaline,SOEL)
Hydrogen electrolyzer manufacturers are not one-size-fits-all. Three main types of electrolyzers exist, each employing a distinct approach: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM), Alkaline, and Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC).
Each boasts unique advantages and caters to specific applications within the burgeoning clean energy landscape. Delving into these technologies is paramount to understanding hydrogen production’s current state and future possibilities.
1.Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzers
PEM electrolyzers use a solid polymer electrolyte to separate hydrogen and oxygen.
They operate at lower temperatures (50-80°C) and can respond quickly to power fluctuations, making them ideal for integrating renewable energy sources.
PEM electrolyzers are compact and produce high-purity hydrogen, but they’re currently more expensive due to using precious metal catalysts.
2.Alkaline Electrolyzers
Alkaline electrolyzers are the most mature and widely used technology.
These hydrogen electrolyzer manufacturers employ a liquid alkaline solution (potassium hydroxide) as the electrolyte.
at temperatures between 60-80°C, they’re less expensive than PEM systems but slower to start up and less flexible. Alkaline electrolyzers are well-suited for large-scale, continuous hydrogen production.
3.Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Electrolyzers
AEM electrolyzers operate at moderate temperatures (40-60°C) and use a solid polymer electrolyte that conducts hydroxide ions.
This technology combines features of both PEM and alkaline systems, allowing for the use of non-precious metal catalysts and potentially lower costs. AEM electrolyzers offer good efficiency and can operate at differential pressure.
However, the technology is still emerging and faces challenges with membrane stability and long-term durability. Ongoing research aims to improve performance and reliability.
AEM electrolyzers show promise for certain applications, influencing current research and development efforts in the hydrogen production industry.
4.Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC)
SOECs operate at much higher temperatures (700-900°C) than PEM or alkaline electrolyzers.
This high-temperature operation allows for higher efficiency and the potential use of waste heat from industrial processes. SOECs can also run reverse as fuel cells, offering energy storage and conversion flexibility.
However, they’re still in the early stages of commercialization and face challenges related to durability and cost.
Each type has its advantages and is suited to different applications, influencing which technology manufacturers choose to develop and produce.
12 Best Hydrogen Electrolyzer Manufacturers
Here is our curated list of the leading innovative companies developing cutting-edge electrolyzer techniques:
Siemens Energy
Siemens Energy is one of the largest electrolyzer manufacturers in Europe, focusing on large-scale proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology. The company recently announced plans to expand its annual electrolysis capacity to 3 GW within a year, driven by growing demand for green hydrogen projects.
Siemens Energy has partnered with companies like Messer Group and Air Liquide to develop integrated hub concepts for green hydrogen production, targeting industrial and mobility applications.
Thanks to its short ramp-up time and dynamic controllability, Siemens Energy’s PEM electrolysis technology is highly compatible with intermittent renewable energy supply.
Due to its high energy density and small footprint, it is well-suited for the rapid ramp-up of the hydrogen industry.
The company has partnered with companies like Messer Group and Air Liquide to develop integrated hub concepts for green hydrogen production, targeting industrial and mobility applications. Siemens Energy’s new multi-gigawatt electrolyzer factory in Berlin utilizes automation and digitalization to supply stacks for its broad range of customers.
Siemens Energy has secured a contract with Cepsa to supply 100 MW of PEM electrolysis technology for green hydrogen production in Spain, complementing Cepsa’s plans for 2 GW of capacity by 2030. The company works closely with partners to offer comprehensive services for electrolyzer plants and energy assets along the entire hydrogen value chain.
In addition to PEM technology, Siemens Energy is also exploring the use of alkaline water electrolysis, as demonstrated in Cepsa’s “Green Hydrogen Valley” project. The two technologies will be combined to manage technology risk and ensure customer supply.
Cummins
Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins has a strong track record of innovation.
It focuses on developing cleaner, more efficient power solutions to help its customers succeed in the energy transition and reduce their environmental impact.
With over 75,500 employees worldwide, Cummins operates a global network of manufacturing and distribution facilities, and provides a comprehensive range of services to support its customers in more than 190 countries and territories.
Cummins Inc. has developed a line of large-scale proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers called HyLYZER for utility-scale green hydrogen production. The HyLYZER is a modular and scalable platform designed to address the growing demand for low-carbon hydrogen solutions.
Key features of the HyLYZER electrolyzers include:
- Proven PEM technology with high efficiency (4.3 kWh/Nm3 at nominal load) and wide operating range (5-125%).
- Compact design with pressurized stacks up to 30 bar, reducing the need for additional compression.
- Modular and scalable configuration to address projects from 10 to 100+ MW.
- Compliance with the highest safety standards and applicable codes.
Cummins is also expanding its electrolyzer manufacturing capabilities, with plans to open a 500 MW per year facility in Spain, scalable to over 1 GW, to meet the growing demand for large-scale green hydrogen projects.
ITM Power
ITM Power is a leading manufacturer of integrated hydrogen energy solutions that utilize renewable energy to produce green hydrogen.
Founded over 20 years ago, the company has become a globally recognized expert in PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolysis technology.
ITM Power has scaled up its operations in recent years to meet the rapidly growing worldwide demand for green hydrogen as a key solution for decarbonization.
The company operates an advanced manufacturing facility in Sheffield, UK and is expanding its global presence, with a new office in Germany, to support the deployment of its industry-leading electrolysis systems.
ITM Power operates an advanced manufacturing facility in Sheffield, UK, and is expanding its global presence with a new office in Germany to support deploying its industry-leading electrolysis systems.
The company’s PEM electrolyzers are powered by renewable electricity and use water as the only input, with oxygen as the only by-product, making the hydrogen produced completely green.
ITM Power is currently engaged in several major industrial projects to demonstrate its technology capabilities, including the REFHYNE project, which installed Europe’s largest hydrogen electrolysis plant at Shell’s Rhineland Refinery in Germany.
The company has also partnered with gas networks in the UK on the HyDeploy trial to blend hydrogen into the natural gas supply.
Nel Hydrogen
Nel Hydrogen is a global, dedicated hydrogen company that has been developing and improving hydrogen solutions since 1927.
The company specializes in electrolyser technologies for the production of renewable green hydrogen, covering the entire value chain from hydrogen production to storage and distribution.
Nel serves industries, energy and gas companies with leading hydrogen technology, aiming to build complete, cutting-edge hydrogen infrastructure and unlock the potential of renewables.
The company is committed to addressing the climate crisis through innovative technology, continuously improving its products and investing heavily in research and development to optimize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its hydrogen solutions.
Nel’s PEM electrolyzers use state-of-the-art technology in compact, easy-to-site forms. They operate at full differential pressure, with hydrogen over oxygen to prevent oxygen from entering the hydrogen stream.
Water is purified by reverse osmosis and deionization before entering the cell stack.
Nel is rapidly expanding its electrolyzer production capacity to meet growing global demand. In Norway, capacity is increasing from 40 MW/year to 500 MW/year, and eventually 2,000 MW/year. In the U.S., PEM capacity is expanding to 50 MW/year.
The company is investing in automation, efficiency improvements, and larger cell stacks to boost reliability and reduce costs.
Nel sees large opportunities for electrolysis within the existing hydrogen market, which currently only uses 1% electrolytic hydrogen.
Topsoe
Topsoe is a Danish company founded in 1940 by Dr. Haldor Topsøe. It specializes in technologies for reducing carbon emissions and enabling the global energy transition.
Topsoe’s main business areas include supplying technology, catalysts, and services for hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, long-haul transportation, and clean fuel production.
The company is a leader in heterogeneous catalysis, contributing significantly to global ammonia production for fertilizers.
Topsoe is a leading provider of solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology for large-scale, high-efficiency hydrogen production from renewable electricity.
Topsoe’s SOEC technology can produce green hydrogen with up to 30% higher efficiency and 30% lower cost than conventional electrolysis.
Topsoe’s SOEC electrolyzers are highly scalable, with a 100 MW plant capable of producing 32,000 Nm3/h of green hydrogen.
This makes the technology well-suited for industrial-scale applications. The SOEC system can be integrated with existing heat sources to improve efficiency further and reduce hydrogen production’s carbon intensity.
In 2023, Topsoe announced plans to build the first advanced industrial-scale SOEC factory in the US to produce clean hydrogen. The company is also part of an alliance with ABB and Fluor to develop a standardized concept for SOEC electrolyzer factories.
Topsoe has demonstrated the long-term reliability of its SOEC technology with a 2,000-hour continuous operation test in an industrial setting.
Enapter
Enapter is an award-winning energy technology company that produces highly efficient hydrogen generators to replace fossil fuels.
The company’s patented Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) technology allows for the mass production of low-cost, plug-and-play electrolyzers for green hydrogen at any scale.
Enapter has over 340 customers in 50 countries and has delivered more than 5,000 AEM Electrolysers worldwide. The company’s product lineup includes the standardized AEM Electrolyser EL 4.0 and larger-scale solutions like the AEM Nexus and AEM Flex 120.
Enapter is headquartered in Pisa, Italy, with additional offices in Germany and Thailand, and is listed on the regulated market of the Frankfurt and Hamburg stock exchanges.
Enapter’s AEM electrolyzer uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through an electrochemical reaction.
The core of the electrolyzer is the stack, which comprises multiple cells connected in series. Enapter’s unique AEM technology involves a polymeric design and specially designed low-cost electrodes.
The hydrogen produced by Enapter’s electrolyzers is already extremely dry and pure, at around 99.9% purity. The hydrogen can be delivered at 99.999% purity with an additional dryer module.
Enapter electrolyzers can operate at partial load down to 60% of their rated capacity, with energy consumption decreasing roughly linearly with the production rate.
Enapter has over 340 customers in 50 countries and has delivered more than 5,000 AEM Electrolysers worldwide.
Ecolectro
Ecolectro is one of the most promising green hydrogen electrolyzer manufacturers based in Ithaca, New York, that has developed a breakthrough alkaline exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology.
Their proprietary AEM materials and processes enable them to significantly reduce the cost of green hydrogen production by up to 78% compared to traditional PEM electrolyzers.
Ecolectro has achieved industry-leading performance milestones, with peak production rates over 4A/cm2 at cell efficiencies exceeding 74%, all without using expensive and scarce materials like iridium or titanium.
Ecolectro has developed a breakthrough alkaline exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology. Their proprietary AEM materials and processes enable them to significantly reduce the cost of green hydrogen production by up to 78% compared to traditional PEM electrolyzers.
Ecolectro has achieved industry-leading performance milestones, with peak production rates over 4A/cm2 at cell efficiencies exceeding 74%, all without using expensive and scarce materials like iridium or titanium.
The company has successfully scaled their electrolyzers from lab-scale to pilot-scale, deploying a pilot unit at a utility company and producing green hydrogen on-site. Ecolectro recently closed a Series A round led by Toyota Ventures to further scale their stacks to 100kW by end of 2024 and 1MW by end of 2025.
Bloom Energy
Bloom Energy is one of the top hydrogen electrolyzer manufacturers in usa that develops solid oxide fuel cell technology to generate electricity and hydrogen.
Founded in 2001 in California, Bloom offers modular energy servers that can run on natural gas, biogas, or hydrogen to produce electricity with higher efficiency and lower emissions compared to traditional power plants.
The company’s technology also provides benefits like easy deployment, redundancy, high availability, and mobility. Bloom aims to deliver cleaner and more affordable energy for businesses while helping address the growing demand for sustainable energy sources.
Bloom Energy uses solid oxide fuel cell technology, and has recently unveiled its highly efficient solid oxide electrolyzer technology to produce clean hydrogen.
Bloom’s solid oxide electrolyzer is expected to be 15-45% more efficient than other electrolysis technologies, requiring less electricity to produce hydrogen.
This is due to Bloom’s solid oxide technology’s high-temperature operation, which enables it to leverage both electricity and heat to split water molecules and generate hydrogen.
Bloom’s solid oxide electrolyzer has a modular design, high reliability, and can be scaled up to gigawatt-level production capacity.
The company has already demonstrated a 4MW solid oxide electrolyzer installation at NASA’s Ames Research Center, producing over 2.4 metric tons of hydrogen daily.
Bloom has also announced a partnership with Shell to develop large-scale solid oxide electrolyzer systems to produce green hydrogen for potential use at Shell’s assets, demonstrating the commercial viability of Bloom’s technology.
John Cockerill
John Cockerill’s alkaline electrolyser technology is the most proven and accounts for approximately 85% of global electrolyser sales today. The company offers a wide range of electrolyser capacities, from a few Nm³ per hour to 1000Nm³ per hour (equivalent to 5MW), with their 5MW electrolysers being among the world’s most powerful.
John Cockerill’s R&D program aims to further improve the efficiency and reduce the capital and operating costs of its electrolyser installations. Key areas of focus include optimizing yield and efficiency, reducing electrical consumption, adapting to renewable energy sources, and increasing current density.
Recently, John Cockerill secured $250 million in funding from SLB, FPIM, and Sogepa to bolster its strategic roadmap, including establishing gigafactories in strategic locations and expanding its global footprint through new production and service centers.
This investment will help accelerate the adoption of John Cockerill’s green hydrogen production solutions on a large scale.
John Cockerill’s alkaline electrolyzer technology is the most proven and accounts for approximately 85% of global electrolyzer sales today.
The company offers a wide range of electrolyzer capacities, from a few Nm³ per hour to 1000Nm³ per hour (equivalent to 5MW), with their 5MW electrolyzers being among the world’s most powerful.
John Cockerill’s R&D program aims to improve efficiency further and reduce the capital and operating costs of its electrolyzer installations.
Recently, John Cockerill secured $250 million in funding from SLB, FPIM, and Sogepa to bolster its strategic roadmap, including establishing gigafactories in strategic locations and expanding its global footprint through new production and service centers.
This investment will help accelerate the adoption of John Cockerill’s green hydrogen production solutions on a large scale.
LONGI Hydrogen
LONGi Hydrogen is a subsidiary of LONGi Group, a global leader in solar photovoltaic technology. Established in 2021, LONGi Hydrogen aims to become a world-leading hydrogen technology company by leveraging LONGi’s expertise in renewable energy.
This chinese electrolyzer manufacturers offers large-scale alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment with a production capacity of up to 1,500 Nm3/h, a service life exceeding 200,000 hours, and advanced features like grid-friendly operation, quick load response, and high efficiency.
LONGi Hydrogen has invested heavily in R&D and plans to expand its electrolyzer manufacturing capacity from 1.5 GW in 2022 to 5-10 GW by 2025 to meet growing global demand for green hydrogen solutions.
The company’s electrolyzers can produce up to 1,500 Nm3/h of hydrogen with a service life exceeding 200,000 hours and advanced features like grid-friendly operation, quick load response, and high efficiency.
LONGi Hydrogen has invested heavily in R&D and plans to expand its electrolyzer manufacturing capacity from 1.5 GW in 2022 to 5-10 GW by 2025 to meet the growing global demand for green hydrogen solutions.
H-TEC Systems
H-TEC SYSTEMS is a developer and manufacturer of PEM electrolyzers for the production of green hydrogen. With over 25 years of experience in PEM electrolysis, the company has a strong technological core and is driving the industrialization and mass production of its technology.
H-TEC SYSTEMS is part of MAN Energy Solutions and benefits from the expertise and resources of its parent company, allowing it to scale up production and meet the rapidly growing demand for hydrogen projects globally
H-TEC SYSTEM’s Hydrogen Cube System (HCS) is a modular 4-10 MW containerized solution that is as efficient as the ME450.
For large-scale projects over 10 MW, H-TEC SYSTEMS has developed a scalable system up to 100 MW with an efficiency of 78%.
The company’s smart modular design groups multiple stacks into independently controllable cascades, providing redundancy and fast replacement in case of failures.
To meet the rapidly growing demand, H-TEC SYSTEMS is expanding its production capacity with the support of parent company MAN Energy Solutions. An automated factory in Hamburg will reach 1 GW capacity by 2025, which will be continuously expanded
Green Hydrogen Systems
The Danish company, Green Hydrogen Systems, designs and manufactures efficient, standardized and modular electrolyzers for the production of green hydrogen using renewable energy.
Founded in 2007, the company combines ultra-efficient electrolysis technology with an on-site production approach to bring affordable green hydrogen to producers of hydrogen fueling stations, power-to-X installations, industrial facilities and more.
Green Hydrogen Systems’ solutions enable the production of green hydrogen at competitive prices for use in a variety of applications, with the goal of contributing to the global transition towards a sustainable energy future.
The company’s electrolysis technology is based on mature pressurized alkaline water electrolysis, which it has optimized for high efficiency and dynamic operation with fluctuating renewable power inputs.
Green Hydrogen Systems’ electrolyzers are designed to produce green hydrogen in a cost-competitive manner for use in a variety of applications, including hydrogen fueling stations, power-to-X installations, and industrial facilities.
Key features of Green Hydrogen Systems’ electrolyzer technology include:
- Modular, containerized, and plug-and-play design for scalability and versatility.
- High efficiency with competitive energy-to-hydrogen conversion rates
- High output pressure up to 35 bar, reducing compression costs
- Compact footprint enabling more installation options
- Ability to dynamically operate with variable renewable power loads
- High durability with 10+ year stack lifetimes
In Summary
By reducing hydrogen production costs, these manufacturers are shaping the future of the energy sector and contributing to global decarbonization efforts.
According to the Hydrogen Council, the technologies developed by these companies could play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change, with the potential to eliminate up to 6 gigatons of CO2 emissions annually by 2050.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main advantages of using hydrogen electrolyzers?
-Reduces dependency on external hydrogen suppliers, fostering energy independence and security.
-Substantial environmental benefits with reduced carbon footprint and lower emissions compared to traditional hydrogen production methods.
-Aligns with corporate sustainability goals and contributes to a greener and more resilient business model.
What are the main challenges facing hydrogen electrolyzers today?
The main challenges facing hydrogen electrolyzers today are high initial costs, reliability and availability issues, and the need for rare or expensive materials. Researchers and industry experts are addressing these challenges through ongoing innovations in materials science, engineering optimizations, and scaling up production processes to make electrolyzers more economically viable.
What are the key benefits for companies producing their own hydrogen with electrolyzers?
The key benefits for companies producing their own hydrogen with electrolyzers are reduced operational expenses through renewable energy utilization, significant lowering of carbon footprints, and fostering energy independence and security.
References
International Energy Agency: The Future of Hydrogen
Markets & Markets Report – Green Hydrogen Market by Technology
Statista – Capacity of elecCtrolyzers for hydrogen production
Hydrogen Europe – Clean Hydrogen Monitor