Verónica Castro-AllendeOort Energy, a UK-based leader in hydrogen electrolysis, has completed the construction of its groundbreaking 1MW electrolyser, marking a major advancement in green hydrogen production. Founded in 2021, the company is revolutionizing the clean hydrogen industry by making hydrogen production more cost-effective and scalable. Oort Energy’s proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers achieve impressive efficiency rates, with the first-generation system reaching 87% and the upcoming version expected to hit 91%. The newly completed 1MW electrolyser is set to be deployed in Morocco, where it will play a crucial role in the region’s growing green hydrogen ecosystem. By optimizing stack design and reducing costs by 50%, Oort Energy positions its electrolysers as a highly capital-efficient alternative to fossil fuel-derived hydrogen. Oort Energy’s innovation, such as its off-grid hydrogen production powered by solar energy, is setting new standards for sustainable hydrogen. As the global hydrogen market is projected to reach £1tn by 2050, Oort Energy’s cutting-edge technology is poised to lead the transition to a low-carbon future, decarbonizing industries and meeting net-zero goals.
Protoplanetary energy, a pioneering UK-based company specialising in hydrogen electrolysis, has achieved a crucial milestone by completing the construction of its groundbreaking 1MW electrolyser.
Oort Energy, which was founded in 2021 by veterans of the electrolyser industry, is committed to lowering the costs associated with producing green hydrogen and moving toward alternative energy solutions. The company’s next-generation electrolysers produce clean hydrogen using water and clean electricity, setting new benchmarks in efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This most recent development represents a major step in Oort Energy’s effort to revolutionize the clean hydrogen industry. Oort Energy has presently taken a significant part in the global energy transition in just three years.
Scaling up with 1MW electrolyser deployment
The completion of Oort Energy’s 1MW electrolyser represents a key moment in the company’s scale-up process. The system is now being tested and inspected rigorously to ensure it adheres to Oort Energy’s higher operating standards as the construction process is then complete. This cutting-edge system is currently preparing to be deployed in Morocco, where it will be vital to the region’s expanding green hydrogen production ecosystem.
The 1MW electrolyser was designed to perform exceptionally well in all conditions, including better power conversion efficiency, reduced hydrogen loss, and optimized gas production thanks to a cost-effective stack design. With these advancements, Oort Energy can create ultra-pure green hydrogen that meets the strict requirements for industries like the Haber-Bosch process for the production of efficient ammonia. By deploying in Morocco, Oort Energy aims to validate its technology under real-world conditions, setting the stage for more expansion into international markets.
Next-generation hydrogen electrolysis technology
Oort Energy’s goal is to transform the hydrogen industry by making alternative hydrogen more affordable and accessible. The company’s proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers leverage proprietary technologies, including ultra-thin membranes and advanced coatings, to achieve industry-leading efficiencies. Its first-generation system achieved a remarkable 87% efficiency, while its upcoming second-generation model is anticipated to achieve 91% efficiency without incurring an increase in energy costs.
Oort Energy’s plan to reshape the economics of green hydrogen production is crucial to achieving these great efficiencies. With its focus on innovation, Oort Energy has optimised its stack design for mass production, substantially reducing overall costs. In comparison to its competitors, the company has been able to reduce production costs by up to 50%, giving its electrolysers a position among the most capital-efficient options on the market right now. This cost reduction is vital in making natural hydrogen aggressive with traditional, fossil-fuel-derived gray hydrogen.
Oort Energy sets an industry standard
The successful completion of the 1MW electrolyser build is Oort Energy’s largest project to date, but it is far from the company’s primary major achievement. Oort Energy became the first UK company to use its cutting-edge electrolyser technology to produce green hydrogen completely off-grid in 2024.
The 250kW demonstrator by the company in Harlaxton was announced as consistently operating on solar power in April 2024, marking a significant milestone for the hydrogen industry. This achievement marked the first commercially successful production of immediate solar-powered hydrogen in the UK. The demonstrator set a new standard for sustainable hydrogen production by operating at a high efficiency and producing green hydrogen with a purity level greater than 99.9995%. Yet while operating off-grid, the Oort Energy system managed to produce natural, clean green hydrogen that met the stringent ISO14687 fuel cell specifications, demonstrating the robustness and reliability of its technology. The system also effectively passed a string of crucial performance tests, which demonstrate Oort Energy’s commitment to innovation and climate protection in the field of solar energy. This off-grid success sets the stage for upcoming off-grid and grid-connected deployments and serves as a strong validation of the company’s technological prowess.
A clean hydrogen revolution business model with a proper focus
The rapidly expanding green hydrogen market, which is expected to be a stepping stone in the worldwide transition to sustainable energy, is the focus of Oort Energy’s business strategy. Oort Energy is positioning itself at the forefront of this revolution with clean hydrogen playing a crucial role in decarbonizing industries and achieving net zero goals.
The business is initially focused on selling perfect electrolyser systems, enabling customers to fully experience the better performance and efficiency of its cutting-edge technology. Oort Energy hopes to establish a strong foundation for long-term growth by demonstrating the viability of its systems in real-world applications.
The international market for green hydrogen is expanding.
The world hydrogen market, which is now valued at around £123 billion, is projected to grow to over £1tn by 2050, fueled by the growing adoption of green hydrogen as the foundation of a low-carbon society. As industries such as chemicals, fertilisers, and large transport seek to reduce their carbon footprints, green hydrogen is emerging as a critical solution for achieving net zero emissions. Oort Energy’s innovative electrolyser technology positions the company to play a significant role in this transition, providing a cost-competitive alternative to fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen.
A vision for the hydrogen economy
The advancement of Oort Energy is driven by both a clear vision of a green future and technological advancement. The company’s efforts to increase the cost of alternative hydrogen have the ability to transform whole industries, enabling them to decarbonize and support global climate goals. Oort Energy aims to play a key role in the development of the natural hydrogen infrastructure that is essential for a net-zero future as it grows and innovates.
Nick Van Dijk, CEO of Oort Energy, encapsulates the company’s mission, stating:”We’re at a very early stage and we have a long way to grow, but we’re going to do it successfully. By running a slim operation, Oort Energy can run both effectively and with a reduced carbon footprint. The best way to effect economic change is to use the market to spur it. Our customers will make the move when the market expands because it is the most affordable option and not only because it’s better for the environment.
The crucial market crossover between green and dark hydrogen is achieved by Oort Energy’s strategy sooner rather than later. Oort Energy is assisting in accelerating the adoption of clean hydrogen, possibly reducing gigatonnes of carbon emissions, and laying the groundwork for a responsible energy future by lowering costs and demonstrating the viability of its technology. As the business continues to innovate and grow, it is at the forefront of a clean hydrogen revolution that promises to transform the world’s energy landscape for decades to come.
Finally, Oort Energy’s rapid progress in the green hydrogen sector marks it as a frontrunner in the global energy transition. Oort Energy is well-positioned to revolutionize hydrogen production by lowering costs and increasing efficiency with the successful completion of its 1MW electrolyser and future deployments. Its proper focus on innovation, scalability, and cost effectiveness underscores the company’s ability to make green hydrogen a economical alternative to fossil fuels. As Oort Energy continues to expand its global footprint, it is set to play a key role in contributing to a lasting, low-carbon future.
