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Plug Power selected to supply electrolyzers for green-methanol project in Portugal

| By Mary Bailey

Plug Power Inc. (Latham, N.Y.) has secured a contract with H2DRIVEN, a project developed by Dourogás and CapWatt, to provide Technical Evaluation Phase (TEP) support for 25 megawatts (MW) of its Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzers during the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) process for their green methanol project in Portugal.

Building on the success of its Basic Engineering and Design Package (BEDP) for larger-scale plants, Plug introduced a similar offering to support the development of projects considering multiple 5 MW PEM electrolyzer units. The TEP offering provides customers with technical information and support to advance their projects through the permit and funding application phase and the plant development phase while mitigating risks and making informed Final Investment Decisions (FID). Similar to Plug’s BEDP offering, the TEP offering will focus on delivering critical insights and technical expertise to support customers with their successful project execution.

Following a soft launch of this new engineering study and support offering, Plug is pleased to have secured a first TEP contract with H2DRIVEN. H2DRIVEN expects its project to produce 80,000 tons of green methanol annually by combining synthesis gas from biomass gasification with green hydrogen generated through water electrolysis powered by solar energy. This sustainable methanol will be utilized in heavy industry and mobility applications, contributing to a cleaner energy future.

The FEED process for the project will be led by collaborating closely with Plug to leverage its expertise in PEM technology. During the TEP, Plug will provide essential support and detailed information on its PEM electrolyzer technology, guiding the client through the FEED process.

“This agreement underscores our leadership and expertise in PEM electrolyzer technology,” said Plug CEO Andy Marsh. “With the world’s largest PEM electrolyzer plant and extensive real-world experience, we are well-positioned to provide the technical support needed to advance this project.”

H2DRIVEN aims to bolster the national economy and resilience by driving R&D and innovation, diversifying the production system, and reducing reliance on external markets. The initiative will aim to increase exports, support the EU’s technological sovereignty, and stimulate investment in R&D, leading to technical and scientific advancements. Additionally, H2DRIVEN is targeting development of two new high-tech production systems and a reduction in emissions by 105 kilotons of CO2 (carbon dioxide) annually by 2027.

Once the TEP is successfully executed, the H2DRIVEN project will proceed to the next phase of the project, the Final Investment Decision (FID). H2DRIVEN expects the project to be operational by the end of 2026.