Producing hydrogen by electrolysis has traditionally required multiple stages of electric power conversion, resulting in significant efficiency losses and high CAPEX. Hydrogen Waves (HyWaves) has developed a novel renewable power management system for green hydrogen production, avoiding multiple conversion stages (DC-AC-DC) of traditional solutions, by directly connecting the electrolyser stack with solar-PV arrays or other uncontrolled DC green-energy sources. With traditional DC-AC-DC connection, net efficiency loss between the PV power plants and the electrolyser amounts to approximately 10%, with higher losses when the PV plant is operated at low solar irradiation. HyWaves technology addresses the current complexity, inefficiency, and capital costs of renewable green hydrogen, by eliminating the solar PV inverter, the electrolyser power supply, most of their associated losses, and delivering the direct-current (DC) from PV to electrolyser without any conversion steps. In HyWaves technology, the electrolyser stack is dynamically reconfigured through a power switching system, to match the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of the DC source; the switching electronic components are cheaper and more reliable than the electronic converter it substitutes. HyWaves, in partnership with Cranfield University, has successfully demonstrated the technology potential in a 1kW pilot system. Main benefits to target customers are: 1) Improved energy efficiency of the DC-DC direct-coupling electronics by up to 10%, with no power conversion 2) 5-20% CAPEX saving by replacing the costly power supply of the stack (AC-DC converter) with cheaper and higher efficiency switching electronics, and removal of MPPT inverters and grid connection 3) Freedom to locate the green hydrogen plant for off-grid applications 4) Generation of additional revenues in areas with constrained solar output. This project will build upon the outcome of a recently completed Innovate UK Design Foundations project (application number 10049175) that has produced an optimal design of a hybrid solar to hydrogen plant capable of producing electricity and hydrogen. The funding will be used to convert this optimal design into a ≈50kW solar-to-hydrogen pilot plant at the University of South Wales (USW) in order to compare a DC-connected dedicated solar to hydrogen plant (HyWaves electronic chain) with a grid electrolysis plant (standard electronic chain) in same solar PV conditions. The project will test stakeholders response to HyWaves technology at the pilot plant and will showcase potential applications of HyWaves technology in the University of South Wales (USW) Living Lab to collect stakeholders feedback and inform changes in business model, route to market and commercialisation plan.

Shoreside Power from Optimised Hydrogen Lifecycle (SPOHL) is an ultra-efficient, zero-emission system for cold-ironing with long-duration, bulk energy storage to balance the seasonal variation in renewable energy systems. This enables it to be an entirely stand-alone system with no need for a grid-connection. It brings together novel technologies that cover the entire Hydrogen value chain from production to end use. A solar PV system (Cranfield) provides power for vessels to cold-iron when at berth. During long periods when supply exceeds demand, surplus electricity is fed through a high-efficiency (99%) DC-DC converter (Hywaves) to an electrolyser which produces hydrogen which is fed to low-cost, 2-stage, multi-organic-framework (MOF)-enabled storage (Rux). During long periods when demand exceeds supply hydrogen is supplied to a high-efficiency (70% brake thermal efficiency) internal combustion engine-based generator (Carnot) which provides the electricity for cold-ironing. A small-scale, high C-rating battery is also incorporated in the for managing sudden load changes / peak shaving. The project targets the specific themes of "shoreside storage and bunkering of low and zero carbon fuel" and "charging infrastructure and management for electric vessels", "shore power solutions, such as enabling docked vessels to turn off their conventional power supply for ancillary systems", "shoreside renewable energy generation at the port to supply vessels", and "low carbon fuel production, such as hydrogen, methanol, ammonia". This project will solve critical challenges of providing flexible, reliable, resilient, highly-varying electrical power supply to docked vessels, replacing power generation through operation of onboard auxiliary engines. The project aims to showcase the best possible end-to-end electrical and cost efficiency basis for the use of hydrogen as a medium to long-term energy flow pathway, in part through lab demonstration of best-in-class hydrogen production, storage and conversion technologies (as above) but also through analysis and optimisation of potential energy flow scenarios underpinned by data collection at a number of ports (including but not limited to Belfast, Felixstowe, Rochester). In order to support the commercial justification for SPOHL Swanbarton, Brunel, Carisbrooke and Freeport East (plus ports and port authorities) will collect & collate data, build a representative port model and optimise across energy vectors to achieve low carbon operation of shoreside assets, with SPOHL at core, harnessing on-site renewable generation from multiple sources (wind, solar, fuel cells). The modelled system will comprise storage facilities for electrical energy and hydrogen, and operation will be optimised alongside energy inputs from grid connections and external green hydrogen sources.

ProjectProject HySEM (Utilising green hydrogen to decarbonize the semiconductors industry) will demonstrate a modular-based solution to both produce and manage hydrogen for the semiconductor industry. This project will design and demonstrate a hydrogen management and production system (HMPS). that provides a greener and more reliable alternative to supplying the hydrogen gas required for the industry. By combining the expertise in the Project Consortium a high-impact proposition for delivering an industry-specific hydrogen supply and management system is possible for the semiconductor industry. Semiconductor manufacturing requires a reliable source of high-purity hydrogen for various processes so there is a key market need for the element and this is forecasted to increase with the rising demand for electronic devices that incorporate semiconductor chips. This project will develop a specialized solution to provide the manufacturing facilities with a modular hydrogen management and production system (HMPS) to both eliminate the need to buy hydrogen from a supplier and ensure only green low carbon gas is used at the facility. By the completion of this project, the consortium will be ready to bring to market a solution that will assist this rapidly expanding technology-focused industry to both decarbonise and achieve a level of energy independence.

Hydrogen Waves (HyWaves) is developing an innovative technology enabling solar PV plants to produce green-hydrogen, with reduced cost and best performance: H2Top, a novel power management and control architecture, will avoid the multiple conversion stages (DC-AC-DC) of traditional solutions, by directly connecting, in Direct Current, the electrolyser with a solar PV array or other DC green energy source. We eliminate the solar PV inverter and the electrolyser power supply unit, replacing them with a simple and reliable power switching electronics. We improve the energy efficiency, and reduce the cost of green hydrogen production, with a saving exceeding 17% of the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) when compared with current solutions. The H2Top architecture can integrate second-life lithium batteries, to further reducing green-hydrogen production cost from solar PV in northern countries. Battery integration is facilitated by the end-to-end use of direct current throughout the system. We will design a prototype of DC-coupled hybrid systems where PV, battery storage, hydrogen and electric generation are supported in the same plant. This project design optimisation will significantly reduce the capital and time investment in installing green hydrogen production plants; will also promote a widespread use of hydrogen for medium term energy storage. HyWaves, in partnership with Cranfield University, has successfully demonstrated the H2Top potential with 1kW demonstration plant, now being upscaled to automated operation and 20 kW industrial-scale. The human-centred & planet-centred design approaches will be applied to designing both hydrogen-only and hybrid plants that offer multiple services like electricity, energy storage, hydrogen production. These hybrids are appealing because will offer a reliable source of energy to industries, residential and commercial activities, balancing the costly short-term lithium storage with a cheaper long-term energy storage based on hydrogen. A shared use of the battery, brings advantages to both the electric and hydrogen side, lowering their cost and allowing the integration of commercial off-the-shelf parts. The end goal of the project is a sound design of the technology, with end-users needs in mind. This means a simplified design of the interface between H2Top power electronics and modular electrolysers of different brand. For hybrid plants, means designing a system that can easily scale and adapt to different profiles of end-user energy consumption. In both cases, the design focus is on user acceptance and adoption of the technology, to maximise the positive impacts on the environment and society, and exploit the relevant economic savings possible with H2Top architecture.

Hydrogen Waves (HyWaves) is developing an innovative technology enabling solar PV plants to produce green-hydrogen, with reduced cost and best performance: H2Top, a novel power management and control architecture, will avoid the multiple conversion stages (DC-AC-DC) of traditional solutions, by directly connecting, in Direct Current, the electrolyser with a solar PV array or other DC green energy source. We eliminate the solar PV inverter and the electrolyser power supply unit, replacing them with a simple and reliable power switching electronics. We improve the energy efficiency, and reduce the cost of green hydrogen production, with a saving exceeding 17% of the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) when compared with current solutions. The H2Top architecture can integrate second-life lithium batteries, to further reducing green-hydrogen production cost from solar PV in northern countries. Battery integration is facilitated by the end-to-end use of direct current throughout the system. We will design a prototype of DC-coupled hybrid systems where PV, battery storage, hydrogen and electric generation are supported in the same plant. This project design optimisation will significantly reduce the capital and time investment in installing green hydrogen production plants; will also promote a widespread use of hydrogen for medium term energy storage. HyWaves, in partnership with Cranfield University, has successfully demonstrated the H2Top potential with 1kW demonstration plant, now being upscaled to automated operation and 20 kW industrial-scale. The human-centred & planet-centred design approaches will be applied to designing both hydrogen-only and hybrid plants that offer multiple services like electricity, energy storage, hydrogen production. These hybrids are appealing because will offer a reliable source of energy to industries, residential and commercial activities, balancing the costly short-term lithium storage with a cheaper long-term energy storage based on hydrogen. A shared use of the battery, brings advantages to both the electric and hydrogen side, lowering their cost and allowing the integration of commercial off-the-shelf parts. The end goal of the project is a sound design of the technology, with end-users needs in mind. This means a simplified design of the interface between H2Top power electronics and modular electrolysers of different brand. For hybrid plants, means designing a system that can easily scale and adapt to different profiles of end-user energy consumption. In both cases, the design focus is on user acceptance and adoption of the technology, to maximise the positive impacts on the environment and society, and exploit the relevant economic savings possible with H2Top architecture.

The H2TOP concept aims to address the current complexity and inefficiency in producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources, by replacing the conventional power electronics with a robust, low-cost and high energy efficiency novel architecture. Producing hydrogen by electrolysis has traditionally required multiple stages of electric power conversion before electrical power is delivered to the electrolyser stack (a set of all electrolytic cells). This results in significant efficiency losses, with the largest occurring during the DC-AC and AC-DC conversions. The renewable energy sources and the hydrogen production plants are often separated by long distances resulting in the use of the electrical grid to deliver power to the plant. Excluding the electric Transport and Delivery (T&D) losses, the net efficiency loss between the PV power plants and the electrolysers amounts to approximately 10%, with higher losses when the PV plant is operated at a low solar irradiation level. Hydrogen Waves addresses these problems by introducing the H2Top architecture, which eliminates both the solar PV inverter and the electrolyser Power Supply, along with their associated losses. With these radical changes, H2Top reduces the energy transmission losses to less than 1%, while simultaneously reducing plant cost and increasing its reliability. Green hydrogen is forecasted to form a large part of the energy mix within the UK Net Zero agenda. This project is an enabler to produce the fuel locally in the UK at a lower cost and higher efficiency than is currently possible. The cost of green hydrogen in Wales is forecast to be £4.13/kg at year 2030 when produced from PV. According to IRENA data and our own internal cost model, introducing the H2Top architecture could save up to 18.5%.