Alkaline vs PEM electrolysers: lessons learnt from Falkenhagen and WindGas Hamburg

摘要

Over the past years, Hydrogenics has delivered several MW-scale electrolysers for Power-to-Gas demonstration projects. If in the past, these projects were dominated only by alkaline electrolysers, the most recent projects use Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technologies. PEM technology holds the promise of a higher efficiency, a reduction of capital cost, a higher pressure output, a lower footprint, a faster response and a more dynamic operation. In 2013, E.ON started the operation of a 2 MW Power-to-Gas project in Balkehhagen using commercially available pressurized alkaline technology from Hydr6genics. The prpject comprises, 6 electrolyses, each containing 4 alkaline cell stacks of 15 Nm~3/h, for a total hydrogen production capacity of 360 Nrn~3/h. The sysjtem has operated successfully for more than 2 years, converting excess wind electricity into hydrogen f6r direct injection in the transportation gas grid. In 2015, E.ON started the operation of 1.5 MW Power-to-Gas project in Reitbrqok (WindGas Hamburg project) using innovative PEM technology from Hydrogenics. The project comprises 1 electrolyser of 285 Nm~3/h containing 1 single PEM cell stack. The system has started operation in October 2015, converting wind electricity into hydrogen for direct injection in the distribution gas grid of Hamburg. Does the PEM technology hold all its promises? What about efficiency The objective of this presentatipn is to present a technical and economical comparison off/these two projects from the angle of the electrolyser manufacturer and to present the view of Hydrogenics about the development of these two technologies in the near future.