Lummus and Advanced Ionics launch Texas pilot plant for electrolyser technology | Technology

Lumus Technology and Advanced Ionics have started building a pilot plant designed to test the latter’s electrolyser technology.

Located in Pasadena, Texas, Lumus will run the plant, operate the equipment, and handle the supporting systems around it, while Advanced Ionics will provide its technology.

Advanced Ionics claims its electrolyser uses up to 50% less electricity per kilogramme of hydrogen by operating at “intermediate” temperatures and using existing industrial steam.

The company’s technology does not appear to fall in the brackets of most electrolyser technologies like PEM, alkaline or solid oxide.

Its Symbiotic technology is described as a hybrid SOEC-like system, blending steam use with novel electrode architecture and no ceramic membrane.

The partners aim to prove the technology works in real-world conditions. If it performs as expected, they expect to move faster toward commercial use.

“We are leveraging the expertise of our scientists and R&D team, plus our proven track record of developing breakthrough technologies,” said Leon de Bruyn, president and CEO at Lummus Technology.

“This will help us accelerate commercialisation of the technology and deliver scalable, cost-effective and sustainable green hydrogen solutions to our customers.”

Advanced Ionics’ CEO Ignacio Bincaz said Lumus serves as a launchpad for its technologies.

The project follows Advanced Ionics’ recent $6.7m funding round, led by Jera and Lummus Venture Capital, aimed at scaling its electrolyser technology and accelerating commercial deployment.