[ editorial ]
Dear readers ,
Even as 2022 draws to a close , the pace of technological advancements and exciting new developments in the green hydrogen sector shows no signs of slowing down . Among the key areas of research are the materials used as catalysts in the production of hydrogen through water electrolysis . For the current generation of PEM electrolysers , iridium remains the most active and stable catalysts used at the anode . However , with iridium being one of the rarest materials on Earth , scientists are exploring ways to reduce the industry ’ s dependence on it .
As reported in the ‘ Industry Update ’ section of this issue , two major milestones in this quest have recently been reached . In a potentially game-changing development , H2U Technologies has demonstrated PEM electrolyser stacks that replace iridium catalysts with inexpensive and abundant catalyst materials , while in another breakthrough , TNO researchers have developed an advanced electrocatalyst that reduces the required amount of iridium by a factor of 200 .
Against the backdrop of these ongoing research activities , it is reassuring to learn from Johnson Matthey , a global authority on platinum group metals ( PGMs ), that iridium and other PGMs pose no barrier to large-scale deployment of PEM electrolysers and fuel cells . In her insightful article , Margery Ryan , Principal Strategy Analyst for PGM at Johnson Matthey , argues compellingly that , “ if used efficiently , these metals will actually facilitate the development of a resilient supply chain .” As she illustrates , the combined impact of thrifting and closed-loop recycling on PEM capacity would be such “ that even within an applied constraint of just 1.5 tonnes per year of primary iridium and using an ambitious scenario for hydrogen uptake , PEM can take market share of 40 %, and achieve an installed capacity of over 1,000 GW by 2050 .”
In another interesting article , Shuang Ma Andersen delves deeper into the subject of PGM recycling , providing a useful overview of current recycling methods as well as introducing a promising new process developed at the University of Southern Denmark .
Sustainability is also at the heart of Hystar , a Norwegian electrolyser manufacturer featured in the cover story of this issue . Committed to a circular economy and aware of the scarcity of catalytic materials used in PEM electrolysers , Hystar is exploring various options to reacquire end-of-life products from its customers as well as engaging with industry partners about the best recycling routes . Having developed ‘ the world ’ s most efficient PEM electrolyser ,’ the company is now gearing up to fully automate its production process and ramp up production capacity to gigawatt scale .
As this issue of Hydrogen Tech World magazine demonstrates , the green hydrogen sector is brimming with innovation and activity , with the year ahead promising to be at least as exciting as 2022 . An early highlight of the new year will be the inaugural Hydrogen Tech World Expo & Conference , to be held in conjunction with the Green Steel World Expo & Conference on 4 and 5 April in Essen , Germany . For information on how to participate as an exhibitor or conference speaker , please see pages 42 – 43 .
On behalf of the entire Hydrogen Tech World team , I wish you a gentle end to 2022 , and a happy , healthy , and prosperous 2023 .
All the best ,
Matjaž Matošec
Editor-in-Chief
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 7 | December 2022 3