A team led by CoorsTek Membrane Sciences has demonstrated a system to convert methane via proton ceramic reactors, while Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser has received an order from an undisclosed Indian refinery for an alkaline electrolyser, in a deal that underscores how oil and gas companies are becoming increasingly interested in the hydrogen sector.

Advanced Ionics has developed an electrolyser that runs at temperatures below 650 C. It is reportedly able to produce hydrogen for US$0.85/kg (AU$1.2/kg) or less. CEO Chad Mason recently spoke with pv magazine to provide a closer look at the water vapour electrolysis tech.

Elsewhere, the Danish government announced a plan to deploy up to 6 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030 and Germany and Norway agreed to conduct a feasibility study on large-scale hydrogen transport, including via pipeline.

Fortescue Future Industries says the first electrolysers to be manufactured at the facility, early next year, are earmarked for use in Queensland at FFI’s planned green-hydrogen-to-ammonia project on Gibson Island.

Elsewhere, Chinese researchers have synthesised ultrafine Pd100-xCux nanodot-modified TiO2 photocatalysts that display optimised energy barrier for interfacial hydrogen desertion, which reportedly exhibits excellent H2-evolution activity and stability, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has presented its plans to establish the Takasago Hydrogen Park, calling it the world’s first centre for validation of hydrogen-related technologies, from hydrogen production to power generation.

Looking to deepen their hydrogen collaborations, the UK government last week spoke with Australian politicians. Meanwhile Australian engineer Worley has entered into an MoU with ABB and IBM to develop an “integrated, digitally enabled solution for facility owners to build green hydrogen assets more quickly, cheaply, and safely.”

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory launched a new catalyst based on nitrogen and carbon to extract hydrogen from hydrogen storage materials at mild temperatures and under normal atmospheric conditions. Furthermore, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the country is working on attracting new investments in electric vehicles and hydrogen and Norwegian consultancy and classification society DNV launched, together with 18 industry partners, a new Joint Industry Project (JIP) to enhance the standardisation for hydrogen production systems that use renewable energy-powered electrolysis to produce green hydrogen.

Engie unit Tractebel is developing an offshore concept for the storage of hydrogen in caverns. Meanwhile, three major hydrogen projects in WA are set to receive support from the state government’s lead agency services, including Province Resources’ HyEnergy Project, The Murchison Hydrogen Renewables facility, and InterContinental Energy’s Western Green Energy Hub.

Australian green energy company Port Anthony Renewables’ oversubscribed capital raising exercise has put a fresh $3 million directly into its commercial scale hydrogen precinct ahead of a planned Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listing next year. Meanwhile, Longi reportedly plans to build 1.5 GW of production capacity of electrolysers next year, up from 500 MW today.

The International Energy Agency said the four nations are on track to contribute 85% of the 18 GW of global renewables capacity which is set to be dedicated to green hydrogen production by 2026. Elsewhere, the Port of Valencia has unveiled a plan to install a green hydrogen supply station in the new year.