Wolong Enapter released first MW scale AEM electrolyzer in China
Zhejiang, China, October 10, 2024, Wolong Enapter (Zhejiang) Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. released China's first MW scale AEM electrolyzer - AEM Nexus 1000 in Shaoxing city, Zhejiang province, marking a milestone of commercialization of AEM technologies in China.
Photo: the launch ceremony, Source: Wolong Group
AEM electrolyzers are often described as a cross between alkaline and proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, 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 electrolyzers, but with greater efficiency. Another advantage of AEM electrolyzer is safety, the diluted KOH solution in an AEM electrolyzer is much safer to handle than the ALK electrolyzer.
Wolong Enapter (Zhejiang) Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Wolong Enapter), is a joint venture formed by Wolong Electric Group and Enapter AG in January 2024.
Photo: the signing ceremony of the joint venture, Source: Enapter
This joint venture acquires stacks from Enapter (manufactured in Pisa, Italy) and produce AEM Electrolyzer products locally in China to tap into the huge potential of the Chinese market.
Enapter holds a 49% stake, granting an exclusive local licence for electrolyser sale and production, as well as providing engineering services and technical support to the venture. The Wolong Group holds a 51% stake and contribute around EUR 2.0 million in cash to the company, as well as financing, production resources and local personnel to set up production as well as a sales and service network.
The newly released AEM Nexus 1000 represents the latest achievments of the company, the key specifications are:
Production rate: 210Nm3/h
Power consumption: 1MW
Outlet pressure: 35 bar
H₂ purity: 99.999%
Operational flexibility: 3% – 100%
Dynamic response: 10 Seconds
Lifespan: 80,000 hours
Current density: 8000 A/m2
Stack efficiency: 4.2 kWh/Nm³
System efficiency: 4.8 kWh/Nm³
Wolong Enapter have secured over 10 MW orders and are in discussions for multiple new projects both domestically and internationally. By the end of 2024, the company expects to have an annual production capacity of 50 MW, according to Zhou Zuping, General Manager of Wulong Enapter on the launching ceremony.