Hydrogen tech firm Plug Power has recently started operation of what it claims as the largest electrolytic liquid green hydrogen plant and largest PEM electrolyzer deployment in the U.S. market.
Located in Woodbine, Georgia, the plant is designed to produce 15 tons per day (TPD) of liquid electrolytic hydrogen, which can power approximately 15,000 forklifts per day. Through eight 5 MW PEM electrolyzers, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen.
The resultant hydrogen gas is then condensed into liquid form at -423F to be delivered to customers' hydrogen fueling stations through Plug's logistics network using Plug cryogenic trailers, according to the company. Plug Power claims that the facility showcases its technology prowess and reliability at the hands of its first-hand customers.
The facility will bolster Plug's supply of liquid hydrogen currently being delivered to Plug's customers for material handling operations, fuel cell electric vehicle fleets, and stationary power applications.
Liquid hydrogen production, in addition to the on-going gaseous hydrogen production at the company's pilot 5 MW electrolyzer plant in Georgia, is expected to positively impact Plug's bottom line and provide an additional step change in fuel margin expansion.
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"We have achieved a historic milestone for Plug and the entire hydrogen ecosystem," said Andy Marsh, Plug Power CEO. "Bringing this green hydrogen plant online demonstrates that we are the leading builder of global hydrogen infrastructure for supporting customer demand in decarbonizing their operations."
The company claims that the demand for green hydrogen has grown as a low-carbon energy source for hard-to-decarbonize industries, such as heavy-duty transportation, heavy manufacturing including steel, cement, aluminum, and chemicals, apart from stationary power generation, and aviation.
In addition, hydrogen-supportive policies in both Europe and the U.S. have improved the economic attractiveness of green hydrogen, Plug Power says. The company's vision is to build a vertically integrated green hydrogen ecosystem, a 'one-stop shop' for producing, liquefying, storing, and transporting hydrogen.
Plug's global hydrogen network allows customers to seamlessly integrate hydrogen into its operations across multiple industries is also growing up.
After the news of the Georgia plant becoming operational, Plug Power's shares surged in the last two days, hinting at the emerging prospects of the electrolyzer business in global market. The company is also said to have finalized a term sheet negotiation for $1.6 billion loan facility with the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE).
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