B. Lakshmanan
Versogen,
United States
Keywords: electrolyzer stacks, hydrogen, energy storage
Summary:
Cost effective, transient capable and durable electrolyzer stacks are the key enablers for production of Hydrogen using renewable energy required to meet the “H2@Scale”1 vision. Electrolyzer stacks built with Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) provide potential pathways to meet this goal. Transient operational capability and low initial capital cost are critical to lower the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) when the electrolyzer stack is required to “load-follow” green electricity sources. Versogen is a world leader in developing hydroxide conducting (PiperION™) membranes, offering a conductivity ~ 0.2S/cm, good mechanical property, and high alkaline chemical stability. Versogen has an installed production capacity of > 100 MW/yr for polymer synthesis and being sold across many countries. Versogen is rapidly expanding capability to build electrolyzer stacks using this membrane.Versogen recently demonstrated a 1-kW stack and is on-track to demonstrate a 100kW stack before the end of 2023. Figure 1 shows the power and estimated efficiency of the 1-kW stack recently tested by Versogen. These stacks use anode feed and produce hydrogen on the cathode from water diffusing across the membrane. Impact of supporting electrolyte conductivity, temperature, and pressure were studied. This talk will focus primarily on the development of the kilowatt scale stack. Further, we will discuss the recent data from AEM stacks demonstrating > 1A/cm2 @ 1.8V using De-Ionized water feed. The durability challenges operating with DI feed along potential mitigation pathways will be presented.