FUEL CELL
A hydrogen fuel cell prototype used by Anglo American Platinum in a locomotive
Photo by: Duane Daws
The first commercial hydrogen storage and logistics system was launched earlier this month at Germany-based hydrogen startup Hydrogenious Technologies, a company in which platinum miner Anglo American Platinum has a stake.
The system uses liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology, and also features various other new technologies, including a polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyser that generates hydrogen using solar power and a hydrogenious StorageBOX that employs LOHC technology to enable storage without any losses for extended periods.
With the first demonstration of the LOHC technology on a commercial scale, Hydrogenious Technologies proves its technology leadership in the area of hydrogen storage. This achievement was recently recognised when Hydrogenious Technologies was awarded the German Industry Innovation Award.
Hydrogenious Technologies’ manufacturing plant in Erlangen, Germany, was formally inaugurated at an event attended by key government and business officials in the country.
The investment in Hydrogenious Technologies forms part of Anglo American Platinum’s commit-ment to support early-stage technologies and innovative industrial applications that use or enable the use of platinum-group metals. Anglo American Platinum invested in the company’s first financing round in 2014. The developments announced this month demonstrate the progress made in furthering product development and commercialisation.
Anglo American Platinum marketing executive head Andrew Hinkly says Anglo American Platinum is “hugely proud” of what Hydrogenious Technologies has been able to achieve in what has been a short space of time. “The inauguration laid the pathway for the first commercial deliveries and a growing order book.”
Hydrogenious Technologies recently signed a deal with US-based hydrogen distribution company United Hydrogen Group (UHG) to supply two LOHC systems, one StorageBOX and one ReleaseBOX. The technology will increase delivery ranges and decrease the operating costs of hydrogen logistics for UHG.
Further, the agreement enables Hydrogenious Technologies to enter the US market, which represents over 50% of the global hydrogen market, and will catalyse the roll-out of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for fuel cell electric vehicles.