Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has ordered a $3mn alkaline electrolyser from Norwegian electrolyser manufacturer Hydrogenpro.

MHI will user the electrolyser to produce hydrogen at its Takasago Hydrogen Park—established through its power subsidiary Mitsubishi Power.

Mitsubishi Power will use the park to demonstrate production and storage of hydrogen as well as its use in gas turbines—the division’s traditional business—from 2023.

Mitsubishi Power has already achieved a goal to co-fire 30pc hydrogen in its gas turbines and aims to achieve 100pc by 2025.

“This order is another important milestone marking our close cooperation with MHI” Nygaard, Hydrogenpro

“This order is another important milestone marking our close cooperation with MHI,” says Elling Nygaard, CEO of Hydrogenpro.

“It will enable MHI to verify and prepare our technology for the Japanese market, which holds great potential for green hydrogen.”

Japan’s strategic energy plan, released last year, aims to introduce 30pc hydrogen co-firing in all gas-fired power generation by 2030 and 20pc ammonia co-firing in all coal-fired power generation.

Japanese utilities Jera and Kansai Electric Power are already running trials on the technology, as well as actively seeking to establish long-term hydrogen and ammonia supply routes.

Growing demand

Earlier this year, Mitsubishi Power Americas placed a $50mn order with Hydrogenpro for 40 electrolysers—one of the largest electrolyser contracts ever.

Hydrogenpro is setting up a factory in China’s Tianjin municipality as it looks to capitalise on emerging markets for green hydrogen. It is targeting a production cost for green hydrogen of $1.2/kg in 2022.

The firm recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian multinational Larsen & Toubro to investigate the manufacture of gigawatt-scale alkaline electrolysers in India.

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Author: Tom Young