Articles tagged with "electrolysis"
US Startup Brings Diesel-Killing Energy Storage System To Earth
The article highlights a significant advancement in long-duration energy storage by the California startup Noon Energy, which has developed a compact system capable of discharging stored solar power for over 100 hours—far exceeding the typical 2-10 hour capacity of conventional lithium-ion batteries. Noon’s technology centers on a reversible solid oxide fuel cell that uses renewable electricity to split carbon dioxide into oxygen and solid carbon, with the solid carbon serving as the energy storage medium. When electricity is needed, the system recombines oxygen from the air with the stored carbon to generate power. This approach requires less than 1% of the critical materials used in lithium-ion batteries, potentially addressing resource constraints. Noon’s technology draws inspiration from NASA’s MOXIE experiment on Mars, which uses solid oxide electrolysis to produce oxygen from the Martian atmosphere by decomposing CO2 at high temperatures. The company has been developing its system since its founding in 2018, receiving early funding support from the US Department of Energy’s AR
energyenergy-storagesolid-oxide-fuel-cellrenewable-energyelectrolysisclean-technologycarbon-captureSolar-powered system uses agricultural waste to produce hydrogen fuel
Researchers from China Agricultural University and Nanyang Technological University have developed a novel solar-powered system that produces green hydrogen at a cost of $1.54 per kilogram ($0.70 per pound), undercutting fossil fuel prices and potentially resolving the economic barrier between clean energy and natural gas. The innovation replaces the energy-intensive oxygen production step in traditional water electrolysis with the oxidation of glucose derived from agricultural waste such as cotton and wheat stalks. This substitution reduces the required voltage by 400 millivolts and generates formate, a valuable industrial chemical, as a co-product, further offsetting costs. The system employs a cobalt oxyhydroxide catalyst doped with 5% copper, which directs glucose oxidation to produce formate efficiently while preventing its breakdown into carbon dioxide. This membrane-free design eliminates oxygen production, reducing explosion risks and removing the need for costly separation membranes. Demonstrated with raw agricultural extracts and powered by concentrated sunlight using triple-junction solar cells, the device achieved a hydrogen
energygreen-hydrogensolar-powerrenewable-energyelectrolysisagricultural-wasteclean-energy-technologyGreen Hydrogen Startup Has A Message For Texas: Hold My Beer
The article highlights the emergence of Oklahoma, particularly through the startup Tobe Energy, as a new player in the green hydrogen sector, traditionally dominated by Texas in the US. Tobe Energy has attracted significant investment, including $1.8 million in seed funding led by Cortado Ventures and support from Hurricane Ventures, reflecting growing interest in clean technology within the Mid-Continent region. The startup’s key innovation is a membrane-free electrolysis system for producing green hydrogen from water, which contrasts with the conventional membrane-dependent methods that are typically more costly due to the expensive membranes required. Tobe Energy’s membrane-free technology aims to simplify hydrogen production, potentially reducing costs by up to 75% and decreasing waste heat, making it scalable for large industries such as energy, manufacturing, and transportation. This approach could accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by enabling more affordable and efficient green hydrogen production, particularly for on-site or localized use, which minimizes transportation and storage expenses. The article also notes that despite the
energygreen-hydrogenelectrolysisclean-energyhydrogen-productionrenewable-energystartup-innovationNew breakthrough could make ‘green’ hydrogen cheaper, faster to produce
A Ph.D. candidate, Yukihiro Takahashi, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has developed a novel method to improve the production of green hydrogen by controlling nickel growth on electrodes used in alkaline water electrolysis (AWE). Nickel coatings on metal plates serve as catalysts in electrolysers, but conventional electroplating methods often result in uneven coatings, leading to wastage, thicker layers, and higher costs. Takahashi introduced complexing agents that bind nickel ions more evenly and slow excessive deposition, enhancing coating uniformity and durability. This advancement was guided by predictive mathematical modeling that simulates nickel behavior under varying conditions, enabling better control before manufacturing. This breakthrough could significantly reduce the cost and improve the efficiency and reliability of green hydrogen production, which is currently expensive and limited in scale despite its potential as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. By improving manufacturing consistency and reducing material waste, the method promises faster optimization and energy savings. Beyond hydrogen electrolysers, the
energygreen-hydrogenelectrolysisnickel-coatingrenewable-energyhydrogen-fuelenergy-storageIndustrial Green Hydrogen Is Coming To Europe From The US
The article discusses the emerging role of industrial green hydrogen in Europe, supplied from the US, amid evolving federal energy policies and advancements in clean technology. Green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is gaining traction as a critical component for decarbonizing industrial sectors such as refining, metallurgy, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. While early enthusiasm for green hydrogen targeted diverse, small-scale applications, high transportation and storage costs limited its viability. Consequently, focus has shifted toward large-scale industrial uses where economies of scale can significantly reduce costs, with sectors like steelmaking, long-haul shipping, and petrochemicals identified as prime candidates for green hydrogen adoption. A key player highlighted is the Massachusetts-based startup Electric Hydrogen, which has developed the HYPRPlant electrolyzer platform designed to cut green hydrogen production costs by up to 60%. This turnkey, factory-assembled system can be deployed on-site for bulk hydrogen production, minimizing transportation expenses. Electric Hydrogen has attracted substantial investment from major industrial and climate-focused investors
energygreen-hydrogenrenewable-energyelectrolysisdecarbonizationindustrial-applicationsclean-technologyWhy Hydrogen Transit Often Emits More Than Diesel Once You Count Everything - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights a critical issue with hydrogen transit systems: while hydrogen fuel cell buses emit only water vapor at the tailpipe and are often labeled as zero-emission vehicles, their full lifecycle emissions—including hydrogen production, processing, transport, storage, refueling, and leakage—can be comparable to or even exceed those of diesel buses. This discrepancy arises because hydrogen is not a naturally occurring fuel and requires energy-intensive manufacturing, often from carbon-intensive electricity grids. The common practice of focusing solely on tailpipe emissions has led to a misleading perception of hydrogen transit as a climate-friendly solution, influencing policy, funding, and public messaging without accounting for upstream emissions. The article further explains that the carbon intensity of the electricity used for electrolysis is a major factor in hydrogen’s overall emissions. On grids dominated by fossil fuels, hydrogen production can result in well-to-wheel emissions several times higher than diesel. For example, electrolysis powered by electricity with 400 to 700 g CO2e per k
energyhydrogen-fueltransit-emissionsclean-energyfuel-cellselectrolysiscarbon-footprintHydrogen Can’t Cut The Mustard, Even In Dijon - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica analyzes the failure of Dijon’s ambitious hydrogen transportation project, which aimed to deploy hydrogen-powered buses, refuse trucks, and light municipal vehicles fueled by locally produced hydrogen via electrolysis. The project was well-funded and serious, with infrastructure built and supply agreements signed. However, the plan relied heavily on electricity generated from municipal waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration—about 90% of the electricity for electrolysis—with the remainder from local renewables. This choice proved problematic because WtE electricity has a high carbon intensity (around 700-900 gCO2e/kWh), which, when multiplied by the energy demands of electrolysis (approximately 55 kWh per kg of hydrogen), resulted in hydrogen production with a carbon footprint significantly higher than diesel fuel. Quantitatively, the article shows that hydrogen buses in Dijon would emit roughly 208 tons of CO2e annually, more than double the 83 tons emitted by comparable diesel buses. Similarly, hydrogen
energyhydrogenclean-energywaste-to-energyelectrolysisemissionssustainable-transportationQuantum chemistry could enable safer, chlorine-free water disinfection
US researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Drexel University, and Brookhaven National Laboratory have used quantum chemistry to uncover why tin oxide-based catalysts for ozone generation degrade under high-voltage electrolysis. Their study identified that microscopic surface defects on these catalysts both promote ozone production—a powerful, chlorine-free disinfectant—and simultaneously cause corrosion that limits catalyst lifespan. This paradoxical relationship between activity and stability explains why nickel- and antimony-doped tin oxides (NATO), previously considered promising for electrolysis-based ozone generation, degrade too quickly for practical use. By combining computational analysis with experimental validation, the team pinpointed the trade-offs between catalytic activity and durability, providing key design principles for developing longer-lasting, chlorine-free water disinfection systems. Such systems could generate ozone on demand directly in water, eliminating the hazards and carcinogenic byproducts associated with chlorine transport, storage, and use. This advancement has the potential to improve safety and sustainability in hospitals, municipal water treatment, and remote facilities. The findings were
energymaterialsquantum-chemistrywater-disinfectioncatalystsozone-generationelectrolysisUS Green Hydrogen Startups Are Moving On To Greener Pastures
The US green hydrogen industry has faced significant setbacks following a sharp reversal in federal energy policy, particularly under the Trump administration, which rescinded billions in funding for initiatives like the $7 billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program launched during the Biden administration. This program, funded by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and managed by the Department of Energy, aimed to reduce green hydrogen costs and diversify the hydrogen supply chain across various regions. Despite some progress, including the selection of seven hubs in 2023 and support for decarbonizing transportation fleets, federal backing for domestic green hydrogen efforts has largely been curtailed. In response to the diminished US support, startups such as Iowa-based SunHydrogen are pivoting toward international opportunities. SunHydrogen is developing innovative green hydrogen production methods based on photoelectrochemistry, which seeks to mimic natural processes to reduce costs compared to traditional electrolysis. The company is actively involved in a pilot project at the University of Texas at Austin’s Hydrogen ProtoHub,
energygreen-hydrogenrenewable-energyelectrolysisclean-energyhydrogen-productionenergy-policyUS scientists cut 47% green hydrogen production cost using wastewater
US scientists at Princeton University have developed a breakthrough method to produce green hydrogen fuel using reclaimed wastewater instead of costly ultrapure water. Traditionally, green hydrogen production via electrolysis requires ultrapure water to prevent impurities from damaging the proton exchange membrane in electrolyzers. The Princeton team discovered that calcium and magnesium ions in wastewater cause scaling and rapid performance decline in standard electrolyzers. To overcome this, they acidified the reclaimed wastewater with sulfuric acid, which provides abundant protons that outcompete these problematic ions, maintaining ion conductivity and enabling continuous hydrogen production for over 300 hours without system failure. This innovation significantly reduces both the environmental impact and cost of hydrogen production. Using reclaimed wastewater cuts water treatment costs by approximately 47% and reduces energy consumption related to water purification by about 62%. The acid used in the process is continuously recirculated, enhancing sustainability. The researchers are now collaborating with industry partners to scale up the technology and test it with pretreated seawater. Their work supports broader efforts to integrate
energygreen-hydrogenwastewater-treatmentelectrolysisrenewable-energyhydrogen-productionsustainable-technologyHow a US electrolyzer redefines hydrogen efficiency
Verdagy Hydrogen, a California-based company, has developed a reengineered alkaline water electrolyzer platform called “Dynamic AWE” that significantly improves hydrogen production efficiency beyond conventional systems. By adapting chlor-alkali chemistry and employing a unique single-cell architecture that virtually eliminates shunt currents—electrical losses common in traditional alkaline stacks—Verdagy claims to have surpassed US Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency targets years ahead of schedule. The company validated its efficiency gains through rigorous benchmarking, normalizing performance data to atmospheric pressure and accounting for compression power, enabling fair comparisons across different electrolyzer designs. The efficiency improvements translate directly into substantial economic benefits. For example, a 1 kWh/kg efficiency gain at an electricity price of $50/MWh results in savings of $0.50 per kilogram of hydrogen produced. At scale, such as a 100-megawatt plant, this could amount to $3.65 million in annual savings. While this alone may not fully close the cost gap with
energyhydrogen-productionelectrolyzerclean-energygreen-hydrogenelectrolysisenergy-efficiencySmall modular reactors designed to drive carbon-free ammonia
Ammonia production, a critical process for global fertilizer supply, is highly energy-intensive and currently relies heavily on natural gas steam reforming, contributing about 1.2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 2 percent of fossil energy use. With rising demand driven by population growth, reducing the carbon footprint of ammonia manufacturing is urgent. Researchers in the U.S., led by Utah State University and funded by the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Program, are investigating the use of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to power carbon-free ammonia plants. SMRs offer reliable baseload power and heat, can be located near consumption centers to reduce transportation emissions, and enable co-location of hydrogen and nitrogen production with ammonia synthesis, improving efficiency and lowering costs. The project focuses on two reference designs using the NuScale SMR (250 MW thermal, 77 MW electric) as the energy source, with one design using freshwater and the other incorporating desalination for seawater or brackish water. Hydrogen
energysmall-modular-reactorscarbon-free-ammonianuclear-energyhydrogen-productionelectrolysissustainable-energyTiny magnets could simplify oxygen production for spaceflight
Researchers from the University of Warwick, ZARM at Bremen, and Georgia Tech have developed a novel, low-power magnetic system that simplifies oxygen production for space missions by passively separating oxygen bubbles from water during electrolysis. Traditional oxygen generation systems on the International Space Station rely on bulky, energy-intensive machinery to separate oxygen and hydrogen, which is inefficient and impractical for long-duration spaceflight. The new approach uses small, off-the-shelf magnets to exploit magnetic forces that guide oxygen bubbles away from electrodes in microgravity, eliminating the need for centrifuges or mechanical parts and requiring no additional power. Early experiments conducted in Bremen’s Drop Tower and laboratory setups demonstrated a 240 percent increase in oxygen collection efficiency, achieving performance close to terrestrial systems. This breakthrough promises lighter, more robust life-support systems critical for sustainable human exploration beyond Earth. The research, spanning four years and funded by the German Aerospace Center, the European Space Agency, and NASA, is moving toward validation in suborbital rocket flights to test
energyoxygen-productionspaceflight-technologymagnetic-separationelectrolysislife-support-systemssustainable-energySaudi plans new hydrogen-to-ammonia facility twice Neom’s plant size
Saudi Arabia is advancing its green hydrogen ambitions with the planned Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub, a facility nearly twice the size of the ongoing 2.2 GW Neom project. Developed by ACWA Power and Germany’s EnBW, the Yanbu site will feature 4 GW of electrolysis capacity, producing up to 400,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. This hydrogen will be converted into green ammonia for global export. The front-end engineering design (FEED) contract has been awarded to Spain’s Técnicas Reunidas and China’s Sinopec, marking the start of detailed planning. The project includes desalination systems and a dedicated export terminal, though renewable power generation—expected from separate solar and wind farms—is not part of the current contract but is essential for fully green hydrogen production. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader goal to invest $270 billion in energy by 2030 and supply 10% of the world’s hydrogen exports. The Yanbu hub will be pivotal in providing
energygreen-hydrogenammonia-productionrenewable-energyelectrolysisSaudi-Arabiaclean-energy-projectsMassive Green Hydrogen Project Targets Ammonia Fertilizer
The article highlights a significant development in the green hydrogen sector aimed at decarbonizing fertilizer production. UK-listed company ATOME is spearheading a $630 million project in Villeta, Paraguay, to build a facility producing ammonia-based fertilizer using green hydrogen. Traditional ammonia fertilizer production relies heavily on hydrogen derived from fossil fuels, contributing approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually—more than shipping and aviation combined. ATOME’s approach uses hydropower-driven electrolysis to generate hydrogen from water, virtually eliminating harmful emissions at the production stage and potentially displacing up to 12.5 million tonnes of CO₂ from a single project. The project has attracted substantial investment and collaboration from major industry players, including Yara, Hy24, AECOM, Natixis, IDB Invest, and ANDE. Hy24 committed up to $115 million as a lead equity investor, while ATOME allocated $465 million to engage Casale, a global engineering firm with a decade of
energygreen-hydrogenammonia-fertilizerdecarbonizationelectrolysissustainable-energyrenewable-energyWorld’s first hydrogen-generating nuclear reactor goes live in the US
NuScale Power Corporation, in partnership with GSE Solutions, has launched the world’s first fully integrated hydrogen production simulator within a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) control room environment at its headquarters in Corvallis, Oregon. This real-time simulator models hydrogen production exceeding 200 metric tons daily using nuclear-powered high-temperature steam electrolysis, centered around Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (RSOFCs) that simultaneously generate electricity, hydrogen, and clean water. The system not only validates the integrated nuclear-hydrogen platform but also serves as a training tool for operators, supporting workforce development as SMRs evolve from grid-only electricity providers to multi-output energy producers addressing industrial decarbonization, water scarcity, and clean molecule synthesis. NuScale’s approach highlights a strategic shift in SMR applications beyond electricity generation to becoming foundational assets in hydrogen and clean fuel economies. Unlike intermittent renewables, SMRs provide consistent thermal and electrical input essential for stable high-temperature electrolysis, enabling resilient and modular hydrogen production
energyhydrogen-productionnuclear-reactorsmall-modular-reactorclean-energyelectrolysisdecarbonizationNew tech lets electrolyzers use impure water to make clean hydrogen
Researchers from Tianjin University and other Chinese institutes have developed a novel method enabling proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers to operate effectively using impure water, addressing a key limitation of current green hydrogen production technologies. Unlike alkaline electrolyzers, PEM electrolyzers produce higher purity hydrogen suitable for fuel cells but require ultrapure water, as impurities can degrade the membrane and increase costs. The new approach involves creating an acidic microenvironment at the cathode by adding Bronsted acid oxide (MoO3-x), which acts as a catalyst and locally lowers pH, enhancing electrolyzer performance and durability even with tap water. This innovation was validated through advanced microscopy techniques, showing that the PEM electrolyzer maintained stable operation for over 3,000 hours at a current density of 1.0 A/cm² using impure water, with performance comparable to conventional PEM systems relying on ultrapure water. By reducing the need for costly water pretreatment and extending system lifetime, this advancement could significantly lower the costs and complexity
energyhydrogen-productionPEM-electrolyzersclean-energyelectrolysissustainable-technologywater-purificationCreating Green Hydrogen with Urine - CleanTechnica
Researchers from the University of Adelaide and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation have developed two innovative electrolysis systems that generate green hydrogen using urea found in urine and wastewater. These systems offer a more energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional water electrolysis, reducing electricity consumption by 20–27%. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods that rely on fossil fuels (grey hydrogen) or energy-intensive processes, these new systems can produce hydrogen at costs comparable to or lower than grey hydrogen while also mitigating nitrogenous waste by converting it into harmless nitrogen gas instead of toxic nitrates and nitrites. The first system employs a membrane-free electrolysis approach with a novel copper-based catalyst using pure urea, while the second system innovatively uses human urine as a green urea source, addressing sustainability concerns associated with industrial urea production. However, urine’s chloride ions pose a challenge by causing chlorine generation that corrodes the anode. To overcome this, the second system utilizes a platinum-based catalyst
energygreen-hydrogenelectrolysisrenewable-energyurea-electrolysissustainable-energyhydrogen-productionHoku Energy Aims To Fill Green Hydrogen Gap In US
The article discusses the challenges and ongoing efforts to develop green hydrogen production in the United States amid political and policy headwinds. Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail renewable energy initiatives, including the termination of the Biden-era Hydrogen Hubs program that aimed to diversify hydrogen sources toward sustainable methods like electrolysis from water and biomass, investor interest in green hydrogen remains resilient. Green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is seen as a critical component for decarbonizing key industrial sectors such as refining, metallurgy, and fertilizer production, as well as for fuel cells in transportation and electricity generation. A notable example of continued investment is the UK-based firm Hoku Energy Ltd., which plans to establish green hydrogen facilities in the US, leveraging existing infrastructure and renewable energy sources. The article highlights the case of Cadiz, Inc., a California-based water resources company with extensive land holdings, which is developing a clean energy campus incorporating green hydrogen production powered by solar energy. While policy setbacks and market skepticism
energygreen-hydrogenrenewable-energyhydrogen-fuel-cellselectrolysissustainable-energyhydrogen-production