Ontario-based electrolyser manufacturer Hydrogen Optimized has reported high performance benchmarks for its Ruggedcell technology in a simulation replicating the intermittency of renewable electricity. In the same announcement, the firm also indicated it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with developer CWP Global to co-locate its electrolysers at large-scale green hydrogen projects under development in Australia, Mauritania, Djibouti and elsewhere.

Hydrogen Economist interviewed Andrew Stuart, CEO of Hydrogen Optimized, to learn more about the test results and the MoU, as well as the importance of its deepening strategic relationship with Swedish-Swiss multinational ABB announced in 2022.

Hydrogen Optimized has achieved “high performance benchmarks” in a simulation replicating wide swings in the electrical power input to its patented Ruggedcell electrolysers corresponding with the actual wind profile found at CWP Global’s proposed 30GW Aman green hydrogen project in Mauritania. What exactly are these high-performance benchmarks?

Stuart: The simulation focused on benchmarks that are particularly challenging for very large-scale intermittent wind and solar power projects in remote locations. We have learned that systems composed of multiple smaller modules have difficulty operating over the full dynamic range presented by intermittent renewables. When renewable power levels drop, an operator needs to shut modules down in rough proportion. This can compromise the efficiency of the modules that remain in operation.

The Ruggedcell electrolyser is uniquely designed for very high-power modules—ten times the power of the typical 5–20MW modules in the market today. As a result, it sustains high hydrogen purity across the range of power load, has excellent thermal stability in partial load and has improved energy efficiency at lower loads. Also, as the Ruggedcell does not require pumps to circulate electrolytes and gases, there is no parasitic load—an important advantage especially at low power intensity.  

“We are confident that Ruggedcell technology is well-suited to the demanding conditions of the major off-grid installations planned by CWP Global”

Why are these high-performance benchmarks important?

Stuart: The capabilities we demonstrated are critical to the success of major green hydrogen projects, as they support the economic viability of large-scale green hydrogen production that is powered by intermittent renewable energy. Projects with off-grid wind and solar installations now being advanced by CWP Global and other renewable energy developers are often located in remote locations that are not connected to public electrical grids, which are typically more stable.

In the same announcement, Hydrogen Optimized indicated it had previously signed an MoU with CWP Global. When was this MoU signed and what does it encompass?

Stuart: The MoU was signed in March 2022. The terms are confidential. Broadly, the agreement establishes a framework to evaluate the integration of Ruggedcell high-power water electrolysis systems into relevant CWP Global solar and wind-powered renewable energy projects. The resulting simulation demonstrated the Ruggedcell technology’s unique suitability to the challenging conditions of large-scale wind and solar-powered hydrogen projects like those now being advanced by CWP Global.

From your understanding, are your Ruggedcell electrolysers presently leading the competition for future adoption by CWP Global at its green hydrogen mega-projects? If yes, why so?

Stuart: We are confident that Ruggedcell technology is well-suited to the demanding conditions of the major off-grid installations planned by CWP Global, and we are pleased to be working with them in evaluating our system. CWP Global will determine how to proceed with all aspects of their projects, including green hydrogen production technology.

It was announced in August that Hydrogen Optimized had deepened its strategic relationship with ABB, a leading worldwide supplier of high-power rectifiers, including the venture capital arm of the global technology company making an investment in your parent company Key DH Technologies. How and why is your strategic relationship with ABB important for the commercialisation of your Ruggedcell electrolysers?

Stuart: Our strategic relationship with ABB has significantly accelerated the commercialisation of our Ruggedcell system. The relationship brings together complementary technologies—our high-power water electrolysis technology for the world’s largest green hydrogen plants and ABB’s high-power rectifiers—to strengthen the Hydrogen Optimized value proposition.

We are working together closely to leverage our respective capabilities and resources so that Ruggedcell technology can become a category leader in the large-scale green hydrogen segment. ABB’s global footprint, commercial relationships and technology leadership in high-power rectifiers, distributed control systems and manufacturing automation provide us with the market reach and capabilities to achieve our company’s goals.

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Author: Vincent Lauerman