PowerCell Sweden AB has decided to equip the company’s existing facility in Gothenburg with a fully integrated solar-cell solution for own production of green hydrogen. The installation, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022, will serve as an industrial testbed for business development, but also help PowerCell to become self-sufficient in hydrogen and secure its own decentralized energy production for auxiliary power.
“This installation will allow us to increase our sales and accelerate our sustainability,” says Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Sweden AB.
The installation will consist of solar panels that will be fitted on PowerCell’s facility at Ruskvädersgatan in Gothenburg, as well as an electrolyser that will convert solar energy into green hydrogen. The hydrogen produced will be used, for example, in PowerCell’s laboratory where fuel cells are continuously developed and tested and where completed fuel cell stacks and fuel cell systems are test run before being delivered to customers. The laboratory is the biggest and most advanced hydrogen laboratory in northern Europe. PowerCell currently receives its hydrogen deliveries by truck from external suppliers.
“This installation will allow us to replace the purchased hydrogen with hydrogen we produce ourselves, which will reduce the number of climate-impacting truck journeys to our facility. Supported by our own stationary fuel-cell-based power system, we will also be using the hydrogen to produce electricity that can be used as auxiliary power and to run various applications, such as charging of electric cars,” says Richard Berkling.
In addition to providing PowerCell with its own hydrogen and electrical energy, the installation will also function as a combined testbed and demonstration facility for decentralized, sustainable energy systems for customers and other stakeholders. Interest in complete installations in which locally produced hydrogen is used in combination with fuel cells is increasing substantially given that this can solve issues with a lack of access to electricity while creating a more independent power supply.
“We require a more concrete way of demonstrating to the market that the technology, products and integrated solutions are already available today and that we don’t need to wait until 2025 or 2030, like we sometimes hear, before taking measures to increase sustainability. We are now taking the lead and reducing the threshold for interested customers by demonstrating that the risk and complexity decrease when purchasing these kinds of complete installations. By also being able to show our customers how these work in practice, we have a unique opportunity to offer them complete installations for the production of green hydrogen,” says Richard Berkling.
“When we are asked by politicians, analysts and other stakeholders what can be done to accelerate the transition to completely emissions-free energy solutions, we highlight the need for industrial testbeds that can help generate know-how and experience of the applications, since this is of central importance to the end customer. We are now showing leadership by – in collaboration with selected partners – creating a solution that is commercially available and that can be scaled depending on the application area and the individual needs of the customer.”
The installation that has now been approved will be extremely flexible and utilized based on the requirement for and access to energy. When access to solar energy is good, or when grid electricity prices are very low, hydrogen will be produced, which will then be stored locally for later use. It will also be possible to sell the hydrogen externally.
“One of the greatest advantages of hydrogen is that it makes it possible to store and transfer energy from one place to another. When there is surplus electricity, energy can be converted to hydrogen that can be stored and subsequently used locally or in another location,” says Richard Berkling.
Implementation of the project by PowerCell is subject to the applicable approvals from the authorities, such as construction permits, etc.
About PowerCell Sweden AB (publ)
PowerCell Sweden AB (publ) develops and produces fuel cell stacks and systems for stationary and mobile applications with a world-class energy density. The fuel cells are powered by hydrogen, pure or reformed, and produce electricity and heat with no emissions other than water. As the stacks and systems are compact, modular and scalable, they are easily adjusted to any customer need.
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