Plug Power begins production of green liquid hydrogen
Plug Power Inc., a global leader in end-to-end hydrogen solutions for the green hydrogen economy, has commissioned the largest green liquid hydrogen facility on the US market.
It is both the largest electrolysis plant for the production of liquid hydrogen and the largest PEM electrolyser in the United States. This marks a landmark step in Plug’s development of a vertically integrated hydrogen ecosystem. The plant incorporates Plug’s proprietary electrolyser technology and demonstrates first-hand its reliability in the production of sustainable energy sources.
The plant in Woodbine, Georgia, is designed to produce 15 tonnes of liquid hydrogen per day (TPD) – enough to power around 15,000 forklift trucks per day. Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen in eight 5-megawatt (MW) PEM electrolysers. The hydrogen gas is then liquefied at –253 degrees Celsius and transported via Plug’s logistics network to customers’ hydrogen refuelling stations using Plug’s own cryogenic tanker lorries.
This new plant will increase Plug’s capacity to supply liquid hydrogen. Currently, this is supplied to Plug’s customers for use in material handling applications, fuel cell electric vehicle fleets and stationary power generation systems. It is expected that the production of liquid hydrogen, in addition to the ongoing production of gaseous hydrogen, will have a positive impact on Plug’s business objectives and represent a significant step forward in expanding the fuel margin.
Plug completed the plant in 18 months, more than twice as fast as the average industry standard for hydrogen plants, which is approximately three years. The plant’s location, with close access to the I-95 and I-10 motorways, provides easy access to commercial and industrial hubs, including Plug’s Pedestal customers across the United States.
The addition of liquid green hydrogen production capacity to Plug’s existing facilities for electrolysers, fuel cells and cryogenic equipment enables Plug to further drive the development of a vertically integrated green hydrogen ecosystem. This ecosystem enables the production, liquefaction, storage and transport of hydrogen from a single source. The ongoing expansion of Plug’s global hydrogen network allows its customers to seamlessly integrate hydrogen into their operational processes, even across multiple sectors.
Demand for green hydrogen has risen, as it represents one of the few low-carbon to carbon-free energy sources for sectors that are difficult to decarbonise, such as heavy goods transport, heavy industry (steel, cement, aluminium and chemicals), stationary power generation and aviation. Furthermore, hydrogen-promoting policies in both Europe and the US have made green hydrogen more economically attractive.
“We have reached a milestone for Plug and the entire hydrogen ecosystem,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power. “The commissioning of this green hydrogen plant demonstrates that we are the leading manufacturer of global hydrogen infrastructure and are supporting our customers in decarbonising their operations.”
The company has been operating a pilot plant for gaseous hydrogen in Georgia for over a year, utilising Plug’s 5 MW electrolyser platform. There, Plug fills the high-pressure tanks of articulated lorries, which transport the hydrogen for Plug itself or for its customers to where it is needed. The company is working extensively on further plants in the US, including facilities in the states of Louisiana, New York and Texas.