PEM Electrolyser
Both of the electrolysers being used as part of BIG HIT are from ITM Power, a manufacturer of integrated hydrogen energy solutions. ITM Power manufactures the proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers which have both rapid response and high pressure output capability. This helps to meet the requirements for local grid balancing and energy storage services. These electrolysers also produce the ultra-high purity hydrogen which is needed by the PEM fuel cells used at Kirkwall dockside and in the ten Symbio Kangoo vehicles.
ITM Power has sold a number of MW scale plants during 2016 and is now responding to enquires for units in the 1MW to 10MW range. The modular design of ITM Power’s electrolyser systems enables easy scale up. The use of integrated modules enables a wide customer offering based on the Company’s existing core PEM stack technology. This approach maintains standardisation for manufacture while minimising development and design time when scaling up.
The advantages of compact size, fast response time, high operating efficiency and high pressure are maintained. This approach serves the requirements of the current electrolyser market, while providing a route to access growing markets in the multi-MW scale. 2017 will also see the release of a new 2.2MW unit which will be at the heart of new 10, 30, 60 and 100MW PEM electrolyser designs.