US Start-Up Delivers Next-Generation Hydrogen Technology to Belgium's Largest Port
Antwerp, Tuesday 11 August 2026
Power to Hydrogen has delivered a novel half-megawatt electrolyser to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, cutting capital costs by up to 65% by eliminating expensive precious metals.
Testing Dynamic Load-Following in a Real-World Port Environment
The newly delivered 0.5-megawatt system is built around two 250-kilowatt stacks, representing a total capacity of 500 kilowatts [2]. Delivered in August 2026, the industrial-scale installation is currently underway at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with official commissioning and a public launch scheduled for September 2026 [1][2]. Under real-world operating conditions, the system will test power price-responsive hydrogen production by operating on Belgium’s day-ahead electricity market, cycling on and off to capitalise on the cheapest available power [2]. Over its operational lifetime, the system is expected to run at approximately 60% of its nameplate capacity—equivalent to 0.3 megawatts—to produce between 40 and 50 tonnes of green hydrogen annually [2].
A Cost-Effective, Precious Metal-Free Alternative
Power to Hydrogen’s technology represents a hybrid between alkaline and anion exchange membrane (AEM) systems, designed specifically to avoid the use of scarce and expensive precious metals such as iridium [1][2]. By utilizing abundant materials like steel and nickel, the system reduces capital expenditure (CAPEX) costs by up to 65% compared to traditional Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers [1]. To overcome the historical degradation issues associated with AEM technology, the company integrated a proprietary separator between the membrane and the oxygen electrode [2]. This design has demonstrated a low degradation rate of 0.2% per 1,000 hours at 1A/cm² in smaller 10-kilowatt systems, matching the durability of some PEM alternatives [2].
Funding, Delays, and Commercial Viability
The deployment at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges was originally scheduled for late 2024 but experienced delays as the start-up finalised its $18 million funding round [2]. Despite the timeline shift, the project is expected to generate commercial revenues within its first year of operation [1][2]. Financial viability has been bolstered by site preparation funding from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and a €900,000 ($1 million) EU Regional Development Fund grant from the Flemish innovation agency VLAIO [2]. These grants have supported a significant portion of the initial capital expenditure, leaving the company to manage operational costs [2].
Catalysing the Transition of European Chemical Clusters
This deployment marks a major milestone for the broader decarbonisation of the Benelux clean tech ecosystem, situated within one of Europe’s largest chemical and maritime hubs [1]. Major industrial clusters across Northwest Europe, including the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam (ARA) region and the Chemelot cluster in the Netherlands, are facing intense pressure to transition away from fossil-based feedstocks toward sustainable chemistry and circular economy materials [GPT]. Generating green hydrogen locally from regional renewable power provides these massive chemical clusters with a secure, domestic supply of clean feedstock, reducing their reliance on volatile international energy imports [1][GPT].