Hitachi Energy is developing a Hydrogen Power Generator demonstration unit with Gothenburg-based fuel cell manufacturer PowerCell Group. PowerCell has provided the power modules and know-how in fuel cell integration and Hitachi Energy has the balance of plant and expertise in power electronics, batteries, cooling, intelligent control, and systems integration.
The demonstration unit is an integrated and scalable plug-and-play generator for temporary or permanent installation, where power grid connections are impractical, and diesel generators are not an option. The medium-power variant provides power for temporary installations and is designed for 400–600 kVA. The high-power variant caters to permanent installations and will provide 1 MVA or more per unit and can be installed in parallel to meet the customer’s specific power needs.
HyFlex is completely emission-free, producing only AC power, usable heat, and water. In comparison, a 1 MVA diesel generator running at full load combusts roughly 225 kg of diesel and emits 720 kg of CO2 emissions per hour.
Key applications include construction sites in remote locations or noise- and pollution-sensitive cities; mining sites to power the increasing number of electrically powered equipment like dump trucks and excavators; data centres, hospitals, and hotels that require an emergency backup supply of power and/or heat; and shore-to-ship applications at ports to sustainably power ships at berth as an alternative to diesel generators.
“We are delighted to unveil this pioneering solution that decarbonises hard-to-abate applications” said Marco Berardi, Head of Grid & Power Quality Solutions and Service at Hitachi Energy. “As the transition to Net Zero progresses, more and more industries are looking for reliable ways to reduce their environmental impact and improve operational performance.”
Hitachi Energy expects to launch a movable variant of this eco-friendly generator for temporary deployment in late 2024 and the permanently deployable variant in 2025.
With the unveiling of this technology, Hitachi Energy now has a complete solutions portfolio across the green hydrogen value chain. In addition to hydrogen-to-power solutions, the portfolio includes power-to-hydrogen (or grid-to-stack) solutions for electrolyser systems that optimise the entire power supply, from the high-voltage grid connection to the DC stack terminals of the electrolyser.
The company has already provided a grid-to-stack solution for a 20 MW electrolyser in Sweden and is providing a similar solution for a 20 MW project in Finland.
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