h-tec was founded in 1997 in Luebeck, Germany, and has become a leading supplier of educational fuel cell systems and materials world wide. h-tec has expanded in 1999, founding a new division to apply its know-how to the production of commercial electrolyser and fuel cell systems. This second division has already produced its first prototypes PEM electrolysers and low power PEM fuel cell stacks. h-tec is looking to collaborate with providers of commercial products in the integration of its electrolyser systems and fuel cell systems. Our aim is the production of PEM systems with the best cost/performance ratio in our principal market, Europe. We achieve this ambitious goal through the use of very cost-efficient materials and unique stack design.

PEM Electrolyser EL 30

h-tec presented at Hanover Fair 2008 the latest prototype of its PEM electrolyser stack. Electrolysers will become increasingly important as investments are made in fuel cell technology, because such an energy system requires a reliable hydrogen infrastructure. However, even with the current low demand for hydrogen, existing methods of both producing hy­drogen (usually from fossil fuels) and transporting it (usually in pressure bottles) are already show­ing their weaknesses.  Future energy systems will require reliable, on-site gas production, and this is where electrolysers are uniquely valuable.

The h-tec system consists of an electrolyser stack, water supply and cooling, water recirculation, system management, and monitoring software. The designs of the individual components and the stack itself are optimized for high-quality serial production. Depending on your needs, h-tec can produce stacks with anywhere from 1 to 55 cells.