Horizon Got First Order for 5MW AEM Electrolyzer

(Tianjin, China) On January 24, Horizon Fuel Cell, a Chinese hydrogen equipment innovation, announced it signed a contract with Tianjin Rockcheck Group, a major iron and steel producer, to supply two units of 5MW AEM electrolyzer system, which marks another milestone of commercialization for AEM electrolyzers in China.

The two AEM electrolyzer systems will be coupled with a 17MW BIPV system to provide green hydrogen to a DRI furnace which could reduce carbon emissions. Operation is expected to commence by the end of 2025.

The 5MW AEM electrolyzer system was initially showcased on the 8th International Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cell Technology and Product Expo (CHFE2024) held in October 2024. The AEM electrolyzer is reportedly comprised of only ten 500KW stacks. Such a simple architecture could significantly reduce operation and maintenance costs while improve efficiency.

Picture: Horizon’s HET-A1000 5MW AEM electrolysis system

AEM electrolysers are often described as a cross between alkaline and PEM electrolysers, with all the benefits of both, but none of their disadvantages.

AEM machines share PEM’s ability to quickly ramp up and down in response to variable wind and solar power, but without the need for the expensive platinum and iridium group catalysts required by PEM, giving it similar costs to alkaline electrolysers, but with greater efficiency. Another advantage of AEM electrolyser is safety, the diluted KOH solution in an AEM electrolyser is much safer to handle than the ALK electrolyser.

The main technology challenge for large AEM stack and system is the performance and mechanical strength of large AEM exchange membrane.

Horizon has successfully solved the problem, according to some reviews by the company.

The key specification of Horizon’s 5MW AEM electrolyzer system: