Tokyo Gas and H2U to develop iridium-free PEM electrolysers
The two firms have signed a multi-year joint development agreement with the ambition to reduce proton-exchange-membrane electrolyser costs and protect against supply chain risk
Japan’s Tokyo Gas and California-based startup H2U Technologies have entered a multi-year joint development agreement aimed at developing iridium-free proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolysers. PEM electrolysers are able to ramp up and down in response to fluctuating input, making them well-suited for direct connection to renewable assets. However, they are significantly more expensive than alkaline electrolysers, in part due to the use of platinum group metals (PGM)—iridium in particular—as catalysts. These rare metals present a potential bottleneck for green hydrogen, with consultancy Rystad estimating that PGM usage in electrolysers must fall by 70–80pc to prevent constraints on PEM el
![](/images/white-fade.png)
Also in this section
26 July 2024
European offtakers and strategic investors start to unlock North African country’s vast potential as a green hydrogen and ammonia supplier
25 July 2024
Investment in 100MW green hydrogen facility in Germany comes as oil major’s wider transition strategy comes under scrutiny
24 July 2024
World’s largest green fertiliser supply agreement puts Villeta project in Paraguay on track for FID later this year
23 July 2024
Awards experience 20% increase in nominations this year, with submissions from 27 countries