Air Liquide takes 18.6% stake in Hydrogenics; “strategic investment” in carbon-free hydrogen
25 January 2019
Air Liquide has acquired an 18.6% stake in the capital of Canada-based Hydrogenics Corporation, a leader in electrolytic hydrogen production equipment and fuel cells.
Air Liquide said the strategic transaction, which represents an investment of US$20.5 million, reaffirms its long-term commitment to the hydrogen energy markets and its ambition to be a major player in the supply of carbon-free hydrogen, particularly for industry and mobility markets.
Air Liquide and Hydrogenics have also entered into a technology and commercial agreement to jointly develop PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysis technologies for the rapidly growing hydrogen energy markets around the world.
Water electrolysis is one of the key technologies to accelerate the emergence of hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier. Indeed it enables the production of totally carbon-free hydrogen, thanks namely to renewable electricity. By partnering with Hydrogenics, a leader in electrolysis and fuel cell technologies, Air Liquide is reinforcing its technology portfolio in hydrogen production and strengthening its ability to offer competitive decarbonated hydrogen on a large scale.
—François Darchis, Senior Vice-President and member of the Air Liquide Group Executive Committee, supervising Innovation
Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Hydrogenics provides hydrogen generation, energy storage and hydrogen power modules to customers and partners around the world. Hydrogenics has manufacturing sites in Germany, Belgium and Canada and service centers in Russia, Europe, the US and Canada.
Over the past 50 years, Air Liquide has developed expertise enabling it to master the entire hydrogen supply chain, from production and storage to distribution and the development of applications for end users. Air Liquide has designed and installed more than 120 hydrogen stations around the world to date.
This is good news for mass production of carbon free H2 in the near future in many countries. Air Liquid, a major H2 producer/distributor, has the financial resources and knowhow required to produce lower cost clean H2.
Posted by: HarveyD | 25 January 2019 at 03:23 PM
H-D:
Don't get too excited it will be reformed hydrogen from fossil fuel no doubt; not electrolysis...too early yet.
Posted by: Lad | 25 January 2019 at 11:53 PM
Nikola intends to electrolyze using renewable power contracts.
Posted by: SJC | 27 January 2019 at 12:20 PM
Lad,
I share your concern but not your conclusion.
This is not the time for resignation or leaving the door open to those who would see this opportunity squandered.
The usual suspect belligerent political and business interests are talking the prospects down while advisers re branding and pumping up clean coal, carbon capture reliable baseload and 'fair dinkum' power
as the only alternative to candles.
Industry authorities do acknowledge H a work in progress for improved economics and building a supporting infrastructure is no small matter.
While we know the powerful and cashed up fossil fuel lobby want to green wash steam reformed methane from fossil fuels as a clean fuel, the fact is that international markets are not open to that. Science informed business understands the risks from fossil fuel extraction and will see the industry close as investments flow towards technologies with a more sustainable footprint.
It should be understood that while existing production is majority from fossil fuels and those interests are promoting carbon capture technologies we know that the investors risk insurers and govt advisers and regulators won't play ball.
I.E. Japan states it will only buy renewable hydrogen.
The article refers to investment in electrolytic generation presumably in this example from Canada hydro. As a commercial proposition for the company nothing could make more sense.
The only reason some are still talking that up is to maintain confidence in their legacy investments.
Some say that the low energy return from the H process makes it a non starter.
That was never a consideration for the 18th century industrial revolution when Watts steam engine saw the energy efficiency rise from .5% to 2.5%.
As renewable energy generation capacity increases there will be increasing surplus electrons that can be put to work or lost.
H2 is one very portable option that has uses for which there is no substitute.
The fact is H2 is already a massive market that can transition to and support .
Posted by: Arnold | 27 January 2019 at 01:12 PM
OOps proof reading needs work!
Posted by: Arnold | 27 January 2019 at 01:19 PM