VTT’s PEM electrolyser system ensures high-quality hydrogen production even in variable power conditions

The transition to a carbon-neutral economy requires vast amounts of clean hydrogen. Producing hydrogen through electrolysis is already an established method, but the need for commercially competitive and flexible solutions continues to grow.

To address this, VTT has developed an electrolyser based on PEM technology. It combines years of research expertise into a tangible product suitable for industrial use.

VTT’s system is built into a shipping container that includes everything essential for starting hydrogen production. Only three external inputs are required: electricity, water and nitrogen. With these in place, the system is ready to produce hydrogen.

A key advantage of this container solution is its manufacturability: the entire system is assembled and tested under factory conditions, after which it can be quickly transported and deployed at the desired deployment site. This differs significantly from the traditional model, where the electrolyser’s components are shipped separately with full system assembly on-site.

The system is fully automated: startup is initiated at the press of a button, and the unit independently manages both production control and safety functions. If an anomaly is detected, the system will switch to a safe operating mode automatically. This enables hydrogen production even at remote sites where continuous system supervision and staffing are not feasible or cost-effective.

A key component of the system’s design was taking northern conditions into account from the very beginning. VTT’s system operates reliably even in arctic temperatures – an invaluable feature for any company planning to expand hydrogen production into the Nordic countries or other cold regions.

The system incorporates an industrial heat pump that recovers the waste heat generated during electrolysis and raises it to a usable level even during the winter season. Heat recovery makes the system energy efficient while creating new business opportunities: a hydrogen producer can simultaneously sell both clean hydrogen and heat, improving the return on investment. 

The system was developed in close cooperation with Finnish industrial partners. The project was funded by Business Finland, and companies involved enhanced the design and manufacturing process via areas such as their automation and power electronics expertise.

The pilot system was launched into operation in 2024 and has since served as a testing platform both in VTT’s own research and in partner projects. The system is ideally suited for operators such as component manufacturers who wish to test and validate their products in an industrial environment yet at a smaller scale.

From a Finnish standpoint, the domestic nature of the system is more than a matter of principle. In the current geopolitical environment, reliable supply chains and technological self-sufficiency are increasingly important factors – ones that also ensure smooth business operations. For Finnish and Nordic operators, a locally produced system means shorter delivery times, better access to support services and reduced dependency on foreign suppliers. 

There are several electrolysis technologies, each with their own strengths. Three particular upsides make PEM technology an excellent choice for hydrogen production based on renewable energy:

Rapid response to variable power. Wind and solar power output fluctuates constantly. A PEM electrolyser can adjust hydrogen production in seconds to match the available power intake.

Wide operating range. With PEM technology, hydrogen production can also be achieved flexibly at partial loads, meaning the system does not need to be shut down when electricity prices are high – instead, production can be maintained at minimum power and scaled up rapidly when electricity prices fall.

Pressurised and pure hydrogen directly from the process. High-quality hydrogen produced by a PEM electrolyser simplifies downstream processing. In addition, a PEM electrolyser is capable of pre-pressurising the produced hydrogen to pressures of up to several tens of bars, significantly simplifying further compression.

VTT’s PEM electrolyser is particularly beneficial for:

• Hydrogen producers seeking a flexible and automated solution for hydrogen production based on renewable electricity
• Energy companies seeking to integrate hydrogen production and heat recovery into district heating systems
• Industrial operators who need clean, pressurised hydrogen for their processes
• Component manufacturers and technology suppliers who wish to test and validate their products in a real electrolysis environment
• Investors and production project developers seeking to evaluate hydrogen production investments in northern conditions.

VTT’s experts are ready to design and deliver customised solutions at various scales that best serve the needs of companies investing in hydrogen production.

Get in touch and let’s plan a solution tailored to your company’s needs – whether it’s joint testing, a partnership towards commercialisation, or a custom-built hydrogen production solution.