PEM Electrolysis, a Forerunner for Clean Hydrogen
Katherine E. Ayers, Nemanja Danilovic, Kevin Harrison, Hui Xu
Abstract
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis was originally developed in the 1950s and 1960s by General Electric for space applications to generate oxygen for astronaut life support. Since then, several companies have transitioned the same basic technology to products for hydrogen generation at various scales. Today, PEM water electrolysis has developed into a mature technology for green hydrogen production when integrated with renewable energy. Its advantages include high efficiency, high operating density, fast dynamic response, and the ability to operate at high and differential pressures. However, cost and durability limit the large-scale implementation of PEM electrolyzers. Major components, including catalysts, membranes, and porous transport layers, hold promise for significantly reducing the cost of PEM electrolyzers. Collaborative accelerated stress tests across different labs are highly desirable to study the degradation of PEM electrolyzers and to further improve their durability.