With Hylink Alkaline 23, Sunfire is bringing a new electrolysis system to market. The module is designed for a nominal capacity of 50 megawatts and for deployment in projects in the triple-digit megawatt range. Since it is designed for outdoor operation, costs for a building can be saved. For a 100 MW project, this reduces the number of required modules from previously ten to two.
Second-generation pressurized alkaline stack at the core
At the core of the system is Sunfire's second-generation 30 bar(g) pressurized alkaline stack. According to Sunfire, the elevated operating pressure significantly reduces the effort required for downstream hydrogen compression. The stack technology is already in use in industrial plants across Europe. For the new module, Sunfire further developed the previous 10 MW module based on experience from ongoing industrial projects. In the new system design, central plant components have been consolidated, air cooling has been integrated as standard, and the degree of prefabrication has been increased.
Christian von Olshausen, CTO of Sunfire, explains the cost reduction: "First, we are increasing module capacity from 10 to 50 megawatts, thereby significantly reducing material and component expenditure. Second, the solution is fully designed for outdoor operation, eliminating buildings and building-related infrastructure as major cost drivers. Third, key interfaces are already integrated into the system, which considerably reduces complexity. Fourth, a high degree of prefabrication shortens installation time and minimizes on-site effort. Fifth, the system is based on our proven 30-bar stack technology with validated performance. Together, these five improvements reduce the total installed costs for our customers by up to 50 percent."
Industrial projects as the target market
With the new system, Sunfire says it is specifically targeting customers from industries such as refineries, the chemical sector, or ammonia production. Nils Aldag, CEO of Sunfire, says: "We have actively helped shape this market and over 16 years have realized projects ranging from a few hundred kilowatts through low megawatt scales to industrial scale." The company's current 100 MW projects are follow-up orders from existing customers. Sunfire employs more than 700 people in Germany and manufactures electrolyzers based on pressurized alkaline and solid oxide (SOEC) technology.
