Manufacturing readiness level assessment for hydrogen electrolysers

As part of the Zero Carbon Humber (ZCH) initiative, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) conducted a Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) analysis of two electrolyser architectures to determine areas of the UK and global supply chain that could be utilised in their manufacture. The architectures that were assessed for this study were Alkaline electrolysers and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers, due to their commercial availability, technological maturity, and use in industry. The study identified the primary subcomponents of both electrolyser architectures, including balance of plant components, and assessed the current manufacturing techniques and challenges for these components. Existing manufacturers were identified for these components and a manufacturing readiness analysis was conducted for each component, in line with the definitions set out by the United States Department of Defence. Most components that form both electrolyser architecture solutions were determined to have a high MRL, between 8 and 10, for current levels of demand, and MRL is very dependent of the level of demand. Some more specialised components have a lower MRL due to a small number of suppliers and more complex manufacturing processes, especially for the assembly of PEM electrolysers.