Technology

The PEM fuel cell (Proton-Exchange-Membrane) and PEM electrolyzer technologies complement each other and offer innovative, clean solutions for using hydrogen (H₂) as an intermediate energy carrier. They can replace electrons and enable more flexible energy transport, more efficient storage, and more versatile usage compared to batteries.

Greenerity plays a key role in both areas of the supply chain, providing essential components for these systems to support the transition to a hydrogen-based society.

In addition, we develop products for related application areas such as electrochemical sensing and hydrogen compression.

Greenerity's "Open Business Model"

Greenerity’s success story is built on cutting-edge materials sourced from the best suppliers.

Greenerity pursues three main objectives with its open business model:

With these approaches, Greenerity makes a significant contribution to the advancement and establishment of sustainable energy solutions.

PEM water electrolysis

Technology

PEM water electrolyzers (Proton Exchange Membrane) are among the most dynamic and efficient technologies for hydrogen production. Greenerity’s many years of expertise have contributed to the development of high-performance systems in collaboration with leading manufacturers. At the same time, Greenerity continues to work on further optimizing the performance and cost of its products.

Electrochemistry and Catalysis

Using water (H₂O) and electrons, the water molecule is electrochemically split into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂). The PEM water electrolysis system consists of a WES stack, which is surrounded by an electronic system and supporting components. These are commonly referred to as the “balance of plant” and include, among other things, water treatment to achieve low conductivity (below 5 µS/cm), DC power supply, buffer tanks, and low-pressure compressors.

Balance-of-Plant

The balance of plant must be designed to enable stable control of the electrolyzer stack. In this process, deionized water is supplied to the anode electrode, while pressurized gases flow to the outlets — up to 30 bar for H₂.

Electrolysis Stack

The electrolyzer stack consists of end plates, current collectors, and cell packages. These packages are made up of bipolar plates and catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs), which enable the production of hydrogen and oxygen. A PEM water electrolyzer typically requires several hundred cell packages.

Application of a PEM Water Electrolyzer:

Hydrogen Refueling Stations

Hydrogen refueling stations enable the distribution of hydrogen within the necessary supply network for H₂ mobility.

Power and heat generation

Hydrogen (H₂) can easily be used as an intermediate energy carrier. It facilitates temporary energy storage, stabilizes the power grid, and simultaneously generates heat. This leads to an optimization of global efficiency.

Industry Feedstock

Hydrogen (H₂) is already used in numerous industries. The CO₂ footprint currently caused by the use of fossil fuels could be significantly reduced by switching to electrolyzers. This technology enables the production of green hydrogen, which has a very low CO₂ footprint.

Milestones in the Field of PEM Electrolysis

1999

World’s first wind-hydrogen refueling station in Canada

2004

First company with a PEM WES product on the market

2006

PEMFC project for mobile applications with Daimler focused on catalyst and MEA development (funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research – BMBF).

2012 - 2013

1 MW PEM electrolyzer project in collaboration with e.on in Hamburg

2015/2016

Presentation of H₂ electrolyzer at the test center with proprietary CCMs

2016 - 2023

Kopernikus funding project: 50 kg/GW product lifetime of 4,000 hours at the end of the project

2022

The electrolyzer at the test center achieved over 15,000 hours of net operation at full load with a degradation rate of 3 µV/h.

2023 - 2025

Iridios project: Full demonstration of 50 kg Ir/GW MEA

2024 - 2027+:

F-REELY project: Search for PFAS alternatives

Strengths of Greenerity

Proven track record: Greenerity has a demonstrated history of supplying global market leaders in the PEM sector.
Focus on technology and industrialization: For over 30 years, Greenerity has focused on technology demonstration and industrialization programs.
Global expansion: Greenerity is continuously expanding worldwide.

Goals of Greenerity

Enabling low H₂ prices: Increasing current density at a cell voltage of 1.8 V and achieving a durability of 80,000 hours.
Enabling appropriate investments for capacity expansion: Reducing capital costs to support the scale-up from megawatts (MW) to gigawatts (GW).

PEM fuel cell

Technology

The PEM fuel cell (Proton Exchange Membrane) is one of the most efficient technologies for generating electricity. Greenerity specializes in the production and development of catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), offered as sheet and roll goods. These products provide fuel cell system manufacturers and OEMs with top performance and stability.

Hydrogen and oxygen as clean energy carriers

The PEM fuel cell enables the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen (H₂) with oxygen (O₂) from the air. The only resulting product is water (H₂O), while the electrons are used to generate electricity.

Balance-of-Plant

The system consists of a fuel cell stack surrounded by an electronic control system and supporting components, collectively referred to as the “balance of plant.” These include, among others, flow regulators, humidifiers, and cooling systems.

Fuel cell stack

For stable control of the fuel cell stack, H₂ and O₂ must be supplied independently to the anode and cathode electrodes, respectively. A stack consists of end plates, current collector plates, and multiple cell packages made up of gas flow field plates and MEAs. Depending on the power requirements, typically 50 to 500 cell packages are needed in a stack. The flow field plate ensures uniform and simultaneous gas distribution across all electrodes of the CCM/MEA.

Applications for PEM fuel cells

Heavy-duty vehicles

Heavy-duty transport requires the lowest possible total cost of ownership (TCO), as these vehicles cover millions of kilometers. One of the first large-scale deployments of hydrogen (H₂) is expected to take place in this sector, with fuel cells playing a key role in minimizing TCO.

Aviation

Aviation for short and medium distances must be rapidly decarbonized. In these power ranges, hydrogen (H₂) and fuel cells are particularly well suited. Even long-haul aircraft could partially integrate H₂ to achieve gradual decarbonization.

Marine

Maritime applications must be decarbonized promptly to improve air quality in port cities and prevent critical emissions and pollution in the oceans. As in heavy-duty transport, minimizing total cost of ownership (TCO) should play a central role.

Light-Duty vehicles

Light-duty vehicles converted to hydrogen (H₂) and fuel cells enable clean deliveries in cities, improve air quality, and offer the necessary flexibility for refueling.

Stationary

Applications based on hydrogen (H₂) could enable a stable local power grid or cover peak demand with a very low CO₂ footprint. In targeted cases, the use of hydrogen as a by-product can lead to additional application optimization.

Cars

Although battery-based technologies (EVs) have made tremendous progress, many end users hesitate to confront range anxiety when driving long distances. Fuel cell vehicles or hybrids with a “fuel cell range extender” can optimize battery weight for regular distances and enhance the long-distance driving experience.

Trains

More than half of all trains worldwide are still powered by diesel engines. Switching to hydrogen (H₂) and fuel cells to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) can significantly improve the CO₂ footprint of trains, especially given the strong availability of low-carbon hydrogen.

Material handling

Millions of logistics centers use forklifts daily. Switching to hydrogen-based solutions has proven economically viable, even compared to batteries. By using low-carbon hydrogen, any company can reduce its global environmental footprint.

Many more application possibilities

Two- and three-wheeled vehicles could also benefit from hydrogen technologies (H₂) compared to batteries, particularly regarding safety when charging in residential settings. Once the H₂ network becomes available, these advantages will become more apparent.

Unsere Meilensteine im Bereich PEM-Brennstoffzelle

2023 - 2026

F-Zero: Suche nach PFAS-Alternativen

2024 - 2027+:

F-REELY project: Search for PFAS alternatives

Strengths of Greenerity

Proven track record: Greenerity has a demonstrated history of supplying global market leaders in the PEM sector.
Focus on technology and industrialization: For over 30 years, Greenerity has focused on technology demonstration and industrialization programs.
Global expansion: Greenerity is continuously expanding worldwide.

Goals of Greenerity

Enabling low H₂ prices: Increasing power density to 1.8V and achieving a durability of 80,000 hours.
Enabling appropriate investments for capacity expansion: Reducing capital costs to support the scale-up from megawatts (MW) to gigawatts (GW).

Diverse applications – customized solutions

Our technologies and products are used in a wide range of applications—from industrial processes to pioneering mobility solutions. Thanks to our many years of experience and interdisciplinary expertise, we develop solutions that are precisely tailored to our customers’ requirements.

Whether in demanding environments, under the highest quality standards, or extreme stress conditions—our products demonstrate their performance and reliability every single day.

Discover our products used in these applications: