Innovative catalysts for cheaper PEM electrolyzers

H2U Technologies and Tokyo Gas have signed a collaboration agreement to discover new affordable catalysts and develop techniques to apply them on membranes. Through their partnership, they hope to reduce the cost of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

H2U Technologies and Tokyo Gas Co. signed a multi-year joint development agreement to discover innovative catalysts and develop techniques to apply them on membranes. This collaboration aims to reduce the cost of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers using H2U’s proprietary Catalyst Discovery Engine™ (CDE™).

Affordable catalysts for PEM electrolyzers

Energy providers and manufacturers around the world are looking to increase the production of electrolyzers, especially for PEM electrolyzers that are ideal for producing “green” hydrogen from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. However, the use of precious metals such as iridium, a very expensive and rare element, is a major obstacle. Through their collaboration and the use of H2U’s CDE, Tokyo Gas aims to develop high performance, low cost, non-iridium coated catalysts and membranes. These catalysts will be made of abundant materials costing a fraction of the price of the precious metals used today. H2U scientists then use artificial intelligence and machine learning to refine the search for optimal catalyst materials.

The CDE, an opportunity for the development of green hydrogen

By collaborating with H2U and using CDE, Tokyo Gas intends to develop efficient and affordable catalysts to accelerate the production of green hydrogen. The objective of Tokyo Gas is to use the hydrogen produced by electrolysis directly or for the manufacture of e-methane. According to Dr. Hisataka Yakabe, Executive Officer and Director of Tokyo Gas, said the collaboration with H2U scientists is an opportunity to develop new low-cost electrocatalyst compounds. For his part, Mark McGough, CEO of H2U Technologies, says their collaboration will enable Tokyo Gas to quickly discover new materials to produce renewable hydrogen at affordable costs.

H2U Technologies and Tokyo Gas have signed a joint development agreement to discover new efficient, effective and affordable catalysts for PEM electrolyzers. This collaboration will enable Tokyo Gas to increase the production of green hydrogen using abundant and inexpensive materials, thereby meeting CO2 emission reduction targets.

Asset manager Quinbrook expands its North American portfolio with a first Canadian investment by acquiring a strategic stake in developer Elemental Clean Fuels.
Lhyfe commissions a 10 MW site in Schwäbisch Gmünd, its first in Germany, to supply RFNBO-certified green hydrogen to industrial and heavy mobility clients.
Brookfield will invest up to $5 billion in Bloom Energy's fuel cells to power future artificial intelligence factories, initiating the first phase of a dedicated global digital infrastructure strategy.
Metacon acquired components from the bankruptcy estate of Hynion Sverige AB for SEK3.5mn ($320,000), aiming to support its hydrogen refuelling station projects in Sweden.
The United Kingdom has carried out its first real-life trial of green hydrogen blending into the national gas transmission network, with power generation as a result.
Swedish company Liquid Wind has secured €3.6mn in public funding for the engineering phase of its eMethanol plant, integrated into a biomass-fuelled cogeneration site.
The Japanese industrial group will replace a 73.5 MW coke and gas-fired turbine with a 30 to 40 MW hydrogen-ready unit, scheduled to start operations in 2030 with ¥7.1bn ($47mn) in public support.
A two-year project aims to identify areas in Texas suitable for natural hydrogen exploitation, despite challenges related to infrastructure, public policy and economic viability.
Plug Power has announced the appointment of Jose Luis Crespo as President effective October 10, before assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer once the company publishes its annual report, expected in March 2026.
Plug Power finalised a deal with an institutional investor to raise $370mn through the immediate exercise of warrants, with the possibility of securing an additional $1.4bn if new warrants are exercised.
Air Liquide announces a $50mn investment to strengthen its hydrogen network on the US Gulf Coast, following long-term contracts signed with two major American refiners.
Global demand for industrial gases will grow on the back of hydrogen expansion, carbon capture technologies, and advanced use in healthcare, electronics, and low-carbon fuel manufacturing.
Green ammonia reaches a new industrial milestone with 428 active projects and over $11bn in investments, highlighting accelerated sector growth across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
Nel Hydrogen US will supply a containerised electrolyser to H2 Energy for a hydrogen production facility commissioned by the Association for Waste Disposal in Buchs, Switzerland.
UK-based manufacturer ITM Power has signed an engineering contract for a green hydrogen project shortlisted under the country's second Hydrogen Allocation Round.
Agfa strengthens its industrial position with the launch of a ZIRFON membrane production site for electrolyzers, backed by a €11mn European subsidy.
Driven by Air Liquide and SEGULA Technologies, the ROAD TRHYP project aims to lower hydrogen transport costs and improve safety through a series of technical innovations by 2030.
Qair obtains structured bank financing of €55mn for its Hyd’Occ ecosystem, integrating renewable hydrogen production and distribution in Occitanie, with commissioning scheduled before the end of 2025.
Swedish firm Metacon has secured a EUR7.1mn ($7.7mn) contract to deliver a 7.5 MW electrolysis plant to Elektra Power SRL, marking its operational entry into the Romanian market.
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership has closed its first call for Project Development Assistance (PDA), totaling 36 applications from 18 countries. Results are expected in October, with support starting in November.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.