Tech watch: These are the latest hydrogen innovations

From the newsletter

Since January, several hydrogen technologies have emerged that are relevant to the evolving green hydrogen sector, particularly in electrolysis and fuel-cell applications. Hydrogen Rising highlights four innovations, including advanced electrolyser systems and a hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial vehicle, that could influence the future direction of the global market.

• Three of the innovations focus on electrolysis systems aimed at improving hydrogen production efficiency and flexibility, while the fourth applies hydrogen fuel cells to long-duration unmanned aerial operations.

• Although developed largely outside Africa, these innovations could support the continent’s emerging green hydrogen industry if deployed locally.

More details

• In South Africa, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research unveiled a hydrogen fuel-cell powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in January, highlighting growing interest in hydrogen applications beyond industrial production and export markets. The H2UAV is a hybrid fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed for surveillance, patrol and monitoring operations, with a modular structure that allows payloads to be changed quickly depending on mission requirements. The UAV uses a hydrogen fuel cell to generate onboard electricity for propulsion, enabling longer flight durations than many battery-powered drones. According to the CSIR, the aircraft weighs 35 kg, has a four-metre wingspan, carries payloads of up to 5 kg and can remain airborne for around 10 hours or more. The development points to the potential role of hydrogen in specialised aviation segments where battery limitations, particularly around endurance and weight, remain a constraint.

• In Scotland, Clyde Hydrogen introduced a decoupled electrolysis system designed to improve the flexibility of hydrogen production when paired with intermittent renewable energy. Unlike conventional electrolysers, which simultaneously produce hydrogen and oxygen, the system separates the two reactions into different stages using an intermediate material. This approach allows hydrogen production to continue independently from oxygen generation, potentially making electrolysers more adaptable to variable renewable electricity supply. The system could also simplify hydrogen storage and improve operational flexibility, areas that remain important challenges for renewable-powered hydrogen production.

• In Germany, Sunfire and MultiPLHY brought an industrial-scale solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) hydrogen system online in February. The project was described as the world’s largest industrial SOEC electrolyser and was deployed at Neste’s Rotterdam refinery. SOEC systems use high-temperature steam electrolysis, where heat and electricity split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Because part of the required energy comes from heat rather than electricity alone, SOEC systems can operate more efficiently than conventional low-temperature electrolysers, particularly in industrial settings where waste heat is available. The systems are increasingly being explored for large-scale hydrogen production linked to refineries, chemicals and heavy industry.

• Meanwhile, in China, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies and HET Hydrogen deployed what was reported as the world’s first industrial-scale 5 MW anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyser system in April. The deployment marks a significant scaling milestone for AEM electrolysis, which remains at an earlier commercial stage than alkaline and PEM systems. AEM electrolysers use an anion exchange membrane to transport hydroxide ions during electrolysis, combining characteristics of both alkaline and PEM technologies. The approach aims to reduce reliance on expensive catalyst materials while maintaining operational flexibility and efficiency. The scaling of AEM systems is being closely watched as the hydrogen industry searches for lower-cost production systems suitable for large renewable-powered projects.

Our take

• The dominance of electrolyser technologies shows that production remains a major deciding factor in the green hydrogen race, with innovation focused on improving efficiency, flexibility and cost rather than downstream applications.

• While still experimental, South Africa’s hydrogen fuel-cell powered UAV signals Africa’s interest in hydrogen technologies beyond production and export ambitions, and could open the door to wider experimentation beyond traditional industrial uses.