Air Liquide and Siemens Energy have officially inaugurated their gigawatt-scale electrolyser factory in Berlin, Germany. The mass production of electrolyser components will enable the production of low-carbon hydrogen on an industrial scale and at a competitive cost. The recently opened new production facility covers over 2,000 square metres.
Furthermore, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser modules are produced using automation and robots. Reportedly, Air Liquide and Siemens Energy anticipate scaling up to 3 GW of yearly production capacity by 2025 from their existing 1 GW. Once manufactured, the modules used in electrolyser projects can be assembled closer to the project sites, reducing transport costs.
In September 2023, TotalEnergies finalised an agreement with Air Liquide for the long-term supply of TotalEnergies’ refinery in Gonfreville, Normandy, France, with green and low-carbon hydrogen. Air Liquide plans to construct and run the 200 MW Normand’Hy electrolyser, with half of its capacity going to the Gonfreville refinery and the remaining 100 MW going to customers in the Normandy industrial region and supporting low-carbon transportation.
REGlobal’s Views: Both the companies have a series of large-scale hydrogen projects under implementation. This partnership will benefit both the companies to strategically reduce their costs using Siemens’ industrial expertise and Air Liquide’s experience in the hydrogen value chain.
