The core component of an electrolysis plant is the electrolysis block, which is also known as the stack. It consists of numerous electrolysis cells stacked on top of each other. An electrolysis cell is a unit consisting of an anode and cathode separated by a membrane that prevents the gases created from mixing. A bipolar plate creates a gas-tight barrier between each electrolysis cell and its neighboring cell.
ZSW has developed unique electrolysis block technology beyond the prototype stage for hydrogen production that, on the one hand, is distinguished by its operational efficiency and, on the other, by resource-efficient use of materials and the possibility of scalable series production. Following numerous meetings, with an in-depth exchange that also saw experts from the EBZ Group helping to manually stack a block in Stuttgart and involvement in a research project addressing series production of electrolysis blocks (Ely-Fab BW Plan), the EBZ Group is convinced that it can in future contribute substantially to the urgently necessary energy transition. Mission and goal are the further development and series production of an alkaline pressure electrolysis block.
Accordingly, a licensing agreement was signed in Ravensburg on March 25th on the occasion of a visit by Prof. Frithjof Staiß (Executive Member of the Board of ZSW, Energy Policy and Energy Carriers), Dr. Marc-Simon Löffler (Line Management Renewable Fuels and Processes) and Maike Schmidt, Dipl.-Wirt.-Ing. (Line Management System Analysis, Member of the Advisory Council on Climate of the State Government and State Parliament of Baden-Wuerttemberg). CEO Thomas Bausch signed on behalf of the EBZ Group, emphasizing the fantastic combined potential and excellent cooperation enjoyed to date with ZSW.
This cooperation sees the EBZ Group developing further to become a technology enterprise. This broad and, indeed, appropriate positioning of the EBZ Group will enable the future development of licensed technology and vertical integration of production. The focus will be on series production of electrolysis blocks – made in Germany by EBZ – from 2024 at the latest.
Photo credits:© ZSW
