Horizon Fuel Cell Group is preparing to deploy the world’s first 5 MW anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyser, marking a significant advance in efforts to reduce the cost of green hydrogen and accelerate industrial decarbonisation. The first commercial unit will be installed at Rockcheck Steel Group’s facility in Tianjin, China, where it forms part of an integrated renewable energy and hydrogen project.

The initiative includes a 17 MW building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system paired with two 5 MW AEM electrolysers. Together, the units are expected to produce approximately 1,000 Nm³ of green hydrogen per hour. This hydrogen will be blended into the steel plant’s existing gas network, replacing coal-derived syngas used in blast furnace operations—one of the most emissions-intensive phases of steel production.

Industrial Scale-Up and Cost Disruption for Green Hydrogen

Horizon states that its AEM electrolyser technology delivers key advantages over traditional alkaline systems. These include a 10–20 percent reduction in power consumption, efficiency levels of up to 95 percent, and the use of earth-abundant materials rather than expensive platinum or iridium catalysts. The company believes that, as the technology scales, capital costs for AEM electrolysis could fall to levels competitive with or lower than conventional alkaline electrolysers.

Green hydrogen is increasingly recognised as essential for decarbonising heavy industries such as steel, chemicals, fertilisers and shipping. However, high production costs remain a barrier. Horizon claims its AEM system can produce hydrogen for as little as US$2 per kilogram, while operating reliably in tandem with intermittent renewable energy such as solar or wind.

Beyond steelmaking, Horizon is working with project developers to test AEM systems in green ammonia production—an area gaining momentum as ammonia becomes an important hydrogen carrier and a potential low-carbon fuel for shipping and power generation. Horizon and its subsidiary HET Hydrogen said the deployment of the 5 MW AEM unit represents a turning point for the technology. 

Source: 

https://www.greenbuildingafrica.co.za/horizon-to-deploy-worlds-first-5mw-aem-electrolyser-aiming-to-cut-the-cost-of-green-hydrogen/