The Swedish electrolyser provider Metacon has introduced a new alkaline electrolysis module with a capacity of 20 MW. The module is designed in a compact, multi-storey steel frame construction. According to the company, it is intended to make the construction of large hydrogen production plants more cost-efficient.
Electrolysis stacks below, gas processing above
In the new module, the electrolysis stacks are located on the lower level. Above them are the gas processing facilities and cooling units. According to Metacon, the design takes safety requirements into account and allows access for operation and maintenance. The arrangement reduces the space requirement and shortens the connections for processes, supply media, and electricity.
The 20 MW module is based on the same modular principles as the company's already available 10 MW module. The units can be installed individually or in parallel to increase plant capacity. The repeatable design is intended to simplify transport, installation, and later expansions, reducing on-site assembly effort.
Savings in steel, piping, and space requirements
Compared to a conventional installation in a building, Metacon claims that the costs for the steel structure can be reduced by up to 30 percent. Savings of up to 50 percent are possible for piping material, insulation, pipe supports, and associated components. Additional costs related to the required installation area could be reduced by up to 70 percent. The actual savings depend on site conditions, project scope, and final design, the company notes.
A key point from the manufacturer's perspective: the construction method can completely eliminate the need for a factory building for the hydrogen generation system. This enables savings at the system level. As the size of industrial hydrogen plants increases, the area required per megawatt of installed capacity becomes significant, as it directly affects costs for construction, materials, and site integration. "The repeatable use of central components lowers costs and increases overall quality," says Christer Wikner, President and CEO of Metacon.
Development in collaboration with Peric Hydrogen Technologies from China
Metacon, based in Sweden, is listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm. The company operates in two business areas: electrolysis and reforming. Metacon develops the alkaline pressure electrolysers in collaboration with Peric Hydrogen Technologies in Handan, China. According to Metacon, Peric is one of the world's leading providers of alkaline pressure electrolysis. In hydrogen reforming, the company relies on its own patented catalytic reactor technology called Hiwar. This allows hydrogen to be produced from biogas, biomethane, bioethanol, or green ammonia – without connection to the power grid.
