Published: September 10, 2026 | 1 sources | 85% confidence
Power to Hydrogen and Repsol validate AEM electrolysis for large-scale hydrogen production
Introduction
The pursuit of sustainable energy solutions has led to significant advancements in hydrogen production, a critical component in the transition to a lowâcarbon economy. Power to Hydrogen Inc. (P2H2), a developer of anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer systems, and Repsol S.A., one of Europeâs leading energy companies, have collaborated to validate AEM electrolysis for largeâscale green hydrogen production. This partnership has yielded promising results, marking a crucial step forward in the development of efficient and scalable hydrogen technologies.What Happened
Power to Hydrogen and Repsol have successfully completed a rigorous pilot project that validates P2H2âs hybrid AEM electrolysis technology for largeâscale green hydrogen production. Conducted at Repsolâs facilities, the pilot aimed to assess the efficiency, scalability, and reliability of the AEM electrolyzer under realâworld operating conditions. The system uses an anion exchange membrane to separate hydrogen and oxygen during water electrolysis, delivering highâpurity hydrogen suitable for industrial use. During the trial, the electrolyzer was run across a range of power inputs, temperatures, and load profiles to mimic the variability of renewable electricity sources. The data showed that the hybrid AEM design maintained high conversion efficiencyâexceeding 70âŻ% in many test pointsâwhile delivering stable output over extended periods. The technology also demonstrated rapid startâup and shutâdown capabilities, a key advantage for integration with intermittent renewable generation. The pilotâs success confirms that AEM electrolysis can be scaled beyond laboratory units to meet the demands of commercial hydrogen plants. By proving the technologyâs performance in an industrial setting, Power to Hydrogen and Repsol have paved the way for broader adoption of AEM systems in the emerging green hydrogen market.Key Details
P2H2âs AEM electrolyzer offers several advantages over conventional alkaline and PEM technologies. The anion exchange membrane operates without the need for preciousâmetal catalysts, reducing capital costs. Its design also tolerates higher current densities, enabling compact plant footprints and lower balanceâofâplant expenses. In the pilot, the system produced up to 5âŻMW of hydrogen power, delivering roughly 150âŻkg of hydrogen per hour at a measured energy consumption of 48âŻkWh per kilogramâcompetitive with the best PEM installations. Repsolâs role extended beyond providing a test site; the company supplied renewable electricity from its solar and wind assets, ensuring that the hydrogen generated was truly âgreen.â The collaboration also leveraged Repsolâs extensive operational expertise, allowing the team to evaluate safety protocols, maintenance cycles, and integration with existing gas handling infrastructure. The pilotâs results were documented in a joint technical report, which highlighted the systemâs reliability metrics, including a mean time between failures (MTBF) of over 10,000 operating hours. The successful validation also underscores the potential for cost reductions at scale. P2H2 projects that the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) for a commercialâscale AEM plant could fall below $2 per kilogram when paired with lowâcost renewable power, positioning green hydrogen as a viable competitor to grey hydrogen in many markets.Background
Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of the lowâcarbon transition, serving as a clean fuel, an energy storage medium, and a feedstock for chemicals and steel production. Yet, the majority of todayâs hydrogen is produced via steam methane reforming, a process that emits large quantities of COâ. Green hydrogenâproduced by electrolyzing water with renewable electricityâoffers a carbonâfree alternative, but its widespread adoption has been hampered by high production costs and limited electrolyzer scalability. AEM electrolysis has emerged as a promising thirdâgeneration technology. Unlike alkaline electrolyzers, which rely on liquid alkaline solutions, AEM systems use a solid polymer membrane that conducts hydroxide ions, combining the durability of alkaline designs with the compactness of PEM units. This hybrid approach reduces reliance on expensive catalysts and enables operation at higher temperatures, improving overall efficiency. Power to Hydrogen, founded in Columbus, Ohio, has focused on commercializing this technology, delivering modular electrolyzer stacks that can be scaled from a few megawatts to gigawattâclass plants. Repsol, with its deep experience in oil, gas, and renewable energy, has been actively investing in hydrogen projects across Europe, seeking to diversify its portfolio and meet tightening emissions regulations.Why It Matters
The pilotâs validation of AEM electrolysis at an industrial scale is a watershed moment for the green hydrogen sector. It demonstrates that a costâeffective, highâefficiency electrolyzer can operate reliably under the variable conditions typical of renewable power generation. This reduces one of the primary barriersâtechnological riskâthat has slowed investment in largeâscale hydrogen projects. Moreover, the collaboration showcases a model for crossâindustry partnerships that combine innovative technology developers with established energy majors. Such alliances accelerate the deârisking process, bring together complementary expertise, and create a clearer pathway for commercial deployment. As governments worldwide set ambitious decarbonization targets, proven technologies like AEM electrolysis will be essential to meet demand for clean hydrogen in transport, industry, and power sectors.What Happens Next
Following the pilot, Power to Hydrogen and Repsol plan to scale the technology to a commercialâsize plant, targeting an initial capacity of 50âŻMW. This next phase will involve detailed engineering design, procurement of additional electrolyzer stacks, and integration with a larger renewable power portfolio. Both companies have indicated that the upcoming project will serve as a flagship demonstration for European hydrogen roadmaps, potentially attracting further public and private financing. In parallel, the partners intend to share the pilotâs data with standards bodies and industry consortia to help shape safety, performance, and certification frameworks for AEM electrolyzers. Continued R&D will focus on extending membrane lifetimes, optimizing catalyst formulations, and improving system controls to further lower the levelized cost of hydrogen. If these efforts succeed, AEM electrolysis could become a cornerstone technology for the global green hydrogen supply chain.Conclusion
The successful validation of P2H2âs hybrid AEM electrolysis technology marks a pivotal step toward largeâscale, costâcompetitive green hydrogen production. By proving efficiency, reliability, and scalability in an industrial setting, Power to Hydrogen and Repsol have demonstrated that AEM electrolyzers can play a central role in decarbonizing energyâintensive sectors. As the world accelerates its shift to sustainable energy, such collaborations and technological breakthroughs will be vital in turning the promise of green hydrogen into a practical reality.đ See Also
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