Power technology company Cummins plans to launch its first US electrolyser manufacturing facility in a move driven by increased government support for the hydrogen economy.

The Indiana-based company will make 500MW/yr of proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolysers at a new facility within its existing Fridley, Minnesota power technology plant, with the potential to scale up to 1GW/yr.

“Expanding Cummins’ electrolyser manufacturing footprint to the US is a milestone not only for our company but an important step in advancing global decarbonisation efforts,” says Alexey Ustinov, vice-president of electrolysers at Cummins.

“This is a reflection of increasing government support through the Inflation Reduction Act [IRA], hydrogen hubs and a blossoming hydrogen economy in the states.”

The recently passed IRA has boosted the US low-carbon hydrogen sector, with the provision of tax credits for production projects potentially worth up to $3/kg. In addition, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes an $8bn programme to develop regional clean hydrogen hubs across America.

Cummins says its Minnesota facility will initially manufacture its Hylyzer 500 and Hylyzer 5000 PEM technology—but it will have the potential to make other models in future.

Cummins’ expansion in the US forms part of an aggressive expansion of its global electrolyser manufacturing base.

The company recently announced an expansion of its PEM electrolyser manufacturing capacity in Belgium to 1GW and has added space to its Mississauga facility in Canada. The company is also building new electrolyser plants in Spain and China, each starting at 500MW/yr with scope to expand to 1GW/yr.

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Author: Stuart Penson