Hysata, POSCO Holdings, POSCO E&C partner to advance electrolyzer technology

Australia's Hysata has signed joint development agreements with POSCO Holdings and POSCO Eco & Challenge to advance the development of its electrolyzer technology and take it to commercialization, Hysata said Dec. 13.

Hysata has developed electrolyzers with a novel cell design called "capillary-fed" electrolysis that delivers 20% saving in energy input versus competitor electrolyzers, resulting in a 25% cut in the levelized cost of renewable hydrogen, according to the company.

"Through this collaboration, we aim to accelerate the development of Hysata's next-generation electrolyzer technology," Hysata CEO Paul Barrett said. "Our 41.5 kWh/kg H2 system efficiency will drive down the levelized cost of hydrogen and transform the economics of green hydrogen production."

Under the terms of the agreement with POSCO Holdings, both companies will contribute technical knowledge and expertise to jointly develop materials and systems for electrolysers.

The partnership will also focus on utilizing each other's capabilities to conduct joint activities aimed at accelerating the commercialization of Hysata's electrolyzer technology.

Meanwhile, under the terms of the agreement with POSCO E&C, both companies will contribute knowledge towards the construction of electrolyzers, Hysata said.

This joint development effort is expected to specifically contribute toward decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, including steelmaking, Juwoung Yoon, head of the Clean Hydrogen Research Center at POSCO Holdings' New Experience of Technology Hub, said.

Hysata has raised $111 million to build its hydrogen electrolyzers in Port Kembla in New South Wales and has ordered equipment for the plant that will scale up to 1 GW, the company said in May.

After production starts, Hysata is to trial a 5-MW electrolyzer next to the Stanwell power station near Rockhampton in Queensland, aided by an A$3 million ($1.95 million) agreement with the Queensland government that owns the plant, it said.

Posco Holdings plans to introduce sustainable fuel blending for thermal power as part of its decarbonization plans and would seek to expand offshore wind and ammonia/hydrogen infrastructure for the purpose, the company's website said.

"With POSCO Holdings at the helm, POSCO, POSCO International and POSCO E&C are building a full hydrogen value chain from production to transportation, storage and utilization," it said.

POSCO Holdings and India's Greenko signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the renewable hydrogen/ammonia in India in 2022.

Also, Hydrom, owned by Energy Development Oman, awarded a project to a consortium including POSCO-ENGIE, POSCO Holdings, MESCAT Middle East DMCC, Samsung Engineering and Korea Southern Power Co. to produce more than 200,000 mt of renewable hydrogen by 2030, Hydrom's website said.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed New South Wales hydrogen produced via alkaline electrolysis (including capex) at $5.50/kg on Dec. 11, down 46% from a month ago.

It assessed Japan hydrogen produced via alkaline electrolysis (including capex) at $5.62/kg Dec. 12, up 12.63% from a month ago.