Plug Power electrolyzers for California green hydrogen facility

Turnkey hydrogen solutions provider Plug Power Inc. announced it will deliver containerized proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer systems to Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc. for a green hydrogen production facility that will serve the commercial mobility sector in Southern California. The facility, the first in the region for heavy-duty trucks, is intended to help the state reach its ambitious climate targets to slash greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2045.

Avina will work with fleet operators and refueling station providers to provide green hydrogen supplied by Plug electrolyzers. (Photo: Avina Clean Hydrogen)

Avina plans to work with fleet operators and refueling station providers to provide green hydrogen supplied by Plug electrolyzers. Each of the electrolyzer units will enable Avina to produce up to 2 metric tons per day (TPD) of green hydrogen, or 730 metric tons annually. Plug’s 5-MW turnkey electrolyzer is the largest available outdoor solution with the smallest footprint in the market, the company said, making it easier and more affordable to install.

The electrolyzers will be built using stacks manufactured at Plug’s PEM fuel cell and electrolyzer manufacturing gigafactory in Rochester, N.Y. Delivery of the systems is expected in Q2 2024, and the production facility is anticipated to be fully operational in mid-2024. Plug has a right of first refusal to supply units for Avina’s next hydrogen production facility, as well.

“Plug and Avina’s shared commitment to offset carbon emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors by deploying innovative green hydrogen solutions at scale makes this partnership a perfect match,” said Sanjay Shrestha, CSO and general manager of Energy Business for Plug, about the agreement. He added that the company looks forward to working with “such an agile partner like Avina to rapidly accelerate the clean energy transition in Southern California.”

Vishal Shah, founder and CEO, Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc., agreed, stating: “Avina is excited to work with Plug on this first-of-its-kind green hydrogen project in Southern California, setting the foundation for a long-term partnership. By leveraging Plug Power’s proven, highly efficient, containerized PEM electrolyzer units, Avina is well positioned to provide a reliable source of green hydrogen to commercial mobility and other markets in California.”