In the United States (US), Heliogen Inc., a developer of AI-enabled concentrated solar power (CSP), and Bloom Energy Corporation, a fuel cell technology developer have announced plans to produce green hydrogen using only CSP and water, further accelerating the world’s progress toward a zero-carbon future.
By combining near 24/7 carbon-free power and steam, generated by Heliogen’s Sunlight Refinery solar power generation system, with Bloom Energy’s highly efficient solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE), the companies will produce green hydrogen that can replace fossil-derived fuels in commercial and industrial applications.
Bloom Energy’s electrolyzers operating on steam are nearly 30 percent more efficient than low-temperature electrolyzers, such as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and alkaline. The complementary technologies make for economically viable green hydrogen production, on par with hydrogen produced from solar photovoltaic (PV) generation.
We developed our AI-powered Sunlight Refinery knowing that green hydrogen is a key element in decarbonizing global transport. By coupling our technology with Bloom Energy’s electrolyzers, we can produce this crucially important fuel at an attractive price point. We will further enhance our Sunlight Refinery’s technology with the addition of Bloom Energy’s market-leading technology, and we have found a committed and invaluable partner in our mission to help decarbonize the entire global economy, said Bill Gross, Founder, and CEO of Heliogen.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the industrial sector is responsible for more than one-third of the world’s energy consumption, while cement production alone is the source of seven percent of global carbon emissions.
Industrial companies are particularly well-suited for low-cost, large-scale hydrogen utilization given the substantial energy requirements and notable carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
We are always on the lookout for complementary technology to accelerate the path to zero and negative carbon, and that’s exactly what we plan to do with Heliogen. By providing efficient and more cost-effective hydrogen production, we believe we can drive rapid adoption of green hydrogen to accelerate the zero-carbon energy transition in these industries, said Venkat Venkataraman, EVP and Chief Technology Officer at Bloom Energy.
The companies’ first integrated solution is intended to be deployed at Heliogen’s facility in Lancaster, California (CA) by the end of 2021.
