Electrolyser manufacturer CPH2 will manufacture a second 1MW membrane-free electrolyser (MFE) unit for New Zealand-based technology firm AFCryo.

In May last year, AFCryo placed an order for its first electrolyser from CPH2, with delivery anticipated in September 2022. The second unit will be delivered in early 2023.

AFCryo will incorporate the electrolysers with its own cooling technology to provide a cheaper and more reliable way of generating both green hydrogen and oxygen than conventional electrolysers, the two firms say.

Unlike most electrolysers, which use membranes to separate hydrogen and oxygen, CPH2’s MFEs divide the water splitting process into two phases. MFEs also do not use platinum group metals in their production, sheltering manufacturers from any supply crunches in the markets for those materials.

“We see CPH2’s membrane-free technology as something which is potentially game-changing on a global scale,” Reynolds, AFCryo

Both these factors combine to contribute to a lower anticipated levelised cost of hydrogen for the end-customer, according to the firms.

CPH2 has an established working relationship with AFCryo and already uses some of AFCryo’s technology in its MFEs.

“We see CPH2’s membrane-free technology as something which is potentially game-changing on a global scale for green hydrogen manufacture and we are very happy to be both a supplier and customer to the group,” says Hugh Reynolds, technical director of AFCryo.

Transport applications

CPH2’s electrolyser together with AFCryo’s cooling system will be able to produce 1 t/d of green hydrogen, which can be used to decarbonise the heavy-duty transport sector in New Zealand.

Transport produces 50pc of New Zealand’s CO₂ emissions.  Hydrogen technology startup Hiringa, working with New Zealand fuel distribution company Waitomo, plans to build four high-capacity green hydrogen production and refuelling stations in the country’s key logistics hubs of Hamilton, Palmerston North, Tauranga and South Auckland. Construction on the first station is underway.

Expansion plans

CPH2 has recently announced its intention to float on AIM—a specialised unit of the London Stock Exchange catering to smaller companies.

The firm will use the proceeds of the listing to expand its production plant in Doncaster in the north of England, targeting 4GW production capacity by 2030. Meeting the 4GW target would be equivalent to a 10pc market share of the projected EU market of 40GW by 2030.

CPH2 says its existing blue-chip customer base and orderbook of 4MW for delivery in 2022 provide a good platform for enabling this targeted growth.

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Author: Tom Young