Electrolysers are the key technological element for the decarbonisation of industrial processes and mobility sectors, and the sector’s plans to increase production tenfold in order to reach the Net Zero Emissions Scenario target by 2050. To do so, system manufacturers, component and material suppliers, industrial users of electrolysers and other stakeholders within the hydrogen value chain must overcome considerable challenges.

In this respect, the event encouraged the exchange of opinions regarding the most recent forecasts on the manufacturing capacity of electrolysers, technological preferences and cost reduction, and innovation in R&D, highlighting major progress in terms of industrial references of hydrogen production projects by electrolysis.

Nel presented the company's prospects in terms of manufacturing capacity and technological commitment. It confirmed that production had doubled thanks to yield improvements and line optimisations, and that it will continue to invest in both alkaline (AWE) and PEM in order to develop the most efficient and reliable electrolyser technology, with projected cost reductions of 40% and 70%, respectively. Accelera by Cummins, with more than 70 years of experience in water electrolysis, showed its clear commitment to PEM electrolysis, having delivered the world’s two largest PEM electrolysers: 20 MW in March 2021 to Air Liquide and 25 MW in October 2023 to NextEra. In addition, it was also announced that the company is actively expanding its manufacturing capacity to reach 2-3 GW in 2024 on 3 continents, using the right supply chain.

In the second block of the session, Fest from Germany presented its PEM electrolyser solutions and fully integrated systems, reaching capacities of 2, 3 and 5 MW, which are already in service. Furthermore, it used the Gartner cycle or cycle of over-expectation to understand and show the evolution of emerging technologies, in this case hydrogen, which has already gone through an initial phase of high public expectations and is approaching the "abyss of disillusionment". After this fall comes a phase of consolidation, in which successful applications appear, the technology starts to mature and the productivity plateau is reached: the moment when an ecosystem around this technology is consolidated. Nordex Electrolyzers presented the first prototype of a 500 kW pressurised alkaline electrolyser, which has been designed, manufactured and assembled entirely in Navarra, which is capable of producing more than 10 kg/h of hydrogen with an energy consumption of less than 50 kWh/kg. Over the coming years, it foresees the validation of MW-scale prototypes and the integration of several stacks sharing BoP. Plug Power, a vertically integrated company in the entire H2 value chain with more than 40 years of experience in electrolysis and liquefaction, showcased the world's first PEM gigafactory with an annual manufacturing capacity of 2.5GW, as well as several turnkey solutions already in operation worldwide.

Manufacturers agree that there has been a slowdown in the market over the last year, mainly due to a lack of financing, and this has meant that many of the planned projects are being postponed. Even so, they are confident that these investment decisions will be approved and promise to have the production capacity to respond when the market stabilises.

The conference provided attendees from Basque companies throughout the hydrogen value chain with the opportunity to network and establish alliances with leading international electrolyser manufacturers through B2B meetings.