Controlled Liquid Hydrogen Storage: The backbone of decentralized energy

Hydrogen is a crucial industrial feedstock, with global demand reaching nearly 100 million tonnes annually. However, most hydrogen production today remains fossil fuel-based, primarily through steam methane reforming (SMR) and coal gasification (CG). Green hydrogen, produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, offers one of the most promising pathways for reducing emissions associated with hydrogen production and supporting wider industrial decarbonization efforts. In the new “Green Hydrogen Production & Electrolyzer Market 2027-2037: Technologies, Players, Forecasts” report, IDTechEx forecasts that the global green hydrogen market may reach US$166 billion by 2037, representing a CAGR of 48%.

Despite increasing policy support and ambitious project announcements across major markets, green hydrogen currently accounts for less than 1% of global hydrogen production. Significant expansion of renewable power generation, alongside continued policy support and infrastructure development, will be required for green hydrogen to achieve widespread adoption over the coming decade.

Green hydrogen economics are the primary barrier for wide adoption

The green hydrogen sector has experienced a challenging period in recent years. Numerous announced large-scale projects have been delayed, scaled back, or cancelled, including Air Products' Massena project in New York, US and BP's HyGreen Teesside project in the UK. Developers face challenges associated with weak offtake demand and evolving policy frameworks, particularly in markets such as the US, where shifting policy priorities in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) have increased uncertainty for project developers. At the same time, electrolyzer manufacturers have massively expanded production capacity in previous years, resulting in substantial manufacturing overcapacity across major regions.

The fundamental challenge lies in the economics of green hydrogen production. The cost of green hydrogen production is five to ten times higher than conventional grey hydrogen depending on regions. Renewable electricity costs represent the largest contributor to hydrogen production costs, while electrolyzer capital expenditure also has a significant impact on project economics. Improving system efficiency, reducing equipment costs, and increasing operating utilization are critical to improving cost competitiveness.

This report provides a detailed analysis of green hydrogen economics, including breakdowns of key capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) contributors, alongside a detailed assessment of electrolyzer stack and balance-of-plant (BoP) components and their impact on overall hydrogen production costs. The report also covers key market trends and analysis of the electrolyzer supply chain and leading OEMs.

Electrolyzer technology landscape and market outlook

Four key electrolyzer technologies are currently competing within the green hydrogen market. Alkaline electrolysis (AEL), proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEMEL), and anion exchange membrane electrolysis (AEMEL) operate at low temperatures, while solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) represent a high-temperature approach.

Each technology offers different advantages in terms of cost, efficiency, material requirements, operating characteristics, and technology readiness levels (TRLs). AEL is currently the most commercially mature technology, benefiting from low capital costs, established manufacturing supply chains, and proven long-term operation. PEMEL offers higher power densities, rapid response times, and greater operational flexibility, making it particularly attractive for integration with intermittent renewable energy.

On the other hand, AEMEL has emerged as one of the most promising emerging electrolyzer technologies, combining the low-cost material advantages of AEL with the dynamic flexibility of PEMEL. Meanwhile, SOEC technology offers the highest efficiency potential through the high-temperature operation, creating opportunities in industrial sectors where waste heat is readily available and offer synthetic fuel production pathways in the future.

IDTechEx forecast of the green hydrogen market for 2027 and 2037, segmented by technology. Source: IDTechEx.

IDTechEx forecasts the global green hydrogen market will reach US$166 billion by 2037. AEL and PEMEL are expected to remain the dominant technologies throughout the forecast period, supported by their technological maturity and established supply chains. However, the strongest growth is expected from AEMEL and SOEC technologies. As both technologies mature and address current technical limitations, their adoption is expected to accelerate significantly over the forecast period. AEMEL is likely to benefit from improvements in membrane durability and system lifetime, while SOEC is well positioned to establish a market niche in high-temperature industrial sectors where its efficiency advantages can be leveraged.

IDTechEx’s “Green Hydrogen Production & Electrolyzer Market 2027-2037: Technologies, Players, Forecasts” report provides a comprehensive analysis and benchmarking of electrolyzer technologies, alongside granular ten-year forecasts for electrolyzer installation capacity (GW), green hydrogen production capacity (Mtpa), and market value (US$ billion), segmented by technology, application, and region.

Green hydrogen outlook

Despite current manufacturing overcapacity and ongoing project development challenges, IDTechEx believes the long-term outlook for green hydrogen remains positive. Green hydrogen is a heavily policy-driven market, with strengthening regulatory frameworks across major regions continuing to support project development. Key developments include China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and recent improved clarity around RED III implementation in Europe. In parallel, project pipelines are maturing, and industrial demand for low-carbon hydrogen is expected to increase substantially over the coming decade. Together, IDTechEx expects the green hydrogen market to experience sustained long-term growth.

For more information on the Green Hydrogen Production & Electrolyzer Market 2027-2037 report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Electrolyzer, or for the full portfolio of hydrogen-related research available from IDTechEx, see www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Hydrogen. 

IDTechEx | www.idtechex.com

Across applications including energy, large-scale infrastructure, and shipyards, projects are becoming more complex and demanding. Work environments are harsher, spaces more constrained, and deadlines increasingly tight. In these conditions, the role of the crane is also evolving. Project managers are recognizing that standard tower cranes are sometimes not enough, as few jobs fit neatly within predefined parameters. That means success increasingly depends on how well cranes can be adapted to meet specific challenges.

To maximize utilization, owners must unlock a crane’s full potential, enabling it to operate efficiently in unique locations and under demanding conditions.

Manitowoc Lift Solutions responds to the growing need for tower cranes to perform beyond standard parameters. Introduced more than a decade ago, the service reflects Manitowoc’s commitment to a customer-centric approach — supporting Potain owners from purchasing through the full lifecycle of their equipment. By combining engineering expertise, field experience, and product support, Lift Solutions helps customers adapt different Potain models for specific applications, improving efficiency, extending utilization, and enabling machines to perform reliably in complex or non-standard lifting scenarios.

“Customers are demanding more from every tower crane in their fleet,” said Bernard Ecabert, Lift Solutions manager for tower cranes at Manitowoc. “Working closely with them before a crane arrives on site is critical to the success of today’s complex jobsites — and that’s exactly the role of Manitowoc Lift Solutions. It allows constraints to be addressed early and ensures the machine is configured as the right solution for the job.”

Overcoming challenges

In practice, this can involve developing tailored components, defining lift procedures, modifying crane configurations, or creating project-specific load charts. The goal is not to replace standard equipment, but to extend its capabilities, allowing cranes to take on a wider range of tasks safely and efficiently.

For example, in France, Manitowoc Lift Solutions installed a Potain tower crane at a shipyard for vessel construction and maintenance. It included a special gantry with a staircase and elevator system for the operator. The gantry is controlled via the on-board CCS (Crane Control System) to enable smooth travel along rails, allowing the crane to move seamlessly between dry docks, even with a load on the hook. Lift Solutions also added a number of ergonomic features, including lights, a camera system, VHF radio communications, and a customized seat.

“At Manitowoc, we see the delivery of a crane as just the beginning of the relationship with our customers,” said Bernard Ecabert. “That perspective shapes how we support crane owners — with the expertise, technologies, and services they rely on to push performance further. Through Lift Solutions, we work alongside customers to solve complex lifting challenges and help them maximize the value of their equipment over its entire lifecycle.”

Manitowoc | https://www.manitowoc.com/

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has completed technical due diligence (TDD) for Asset management companies Aberdeen Investments and DigitalBridge in relation to the acquisition of Equans Infra & Mobility B.V., an established electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure business in the Netherlands.

The transaction, announced publicly in May 2026, will see the asset-based e-mobility activities of Equans transferred to a new entity controlled by Aberdeen Investments and DigitalBridge. The platform will operate under the new name Velian and is positioned to support the continued growth of scalable and reliable EV charging infrastructure across public, commercial and logistics segments in the country.

As EV charging becomes an increasingly important asset class for infrastructure investors, technical due diligence is playing a more central role in investment decisions. Investors are seeking greater visibility into the quality, performance and long-term viability of charging platforms, including their hardware, software, grid connectivity and operational capabilities.

DNV’s technical due diligence provided an independent assessment across a range of specialist areas, including charging hardware and asset condition, software platforms and data systems, grid connection capacity and resilience, operations and maintenance strategies, organizational capabilities, environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, cybersecurity exposure and technical considerations within commercial agreements.

A key focus of the work was the interface between technical performance and contractual arrangements. This included assessing how asset ownership, operational responsibilities, maintenance obligations and performance expectations are reflected in agreements, and how these factors influence risk allocation and long-term scalability.

Jasjeet Singh, Project Sponsor and Technical Advisor, Energy Systems at DNV said: “As EV charging infrastructure attracts growing mainstream investment, investors are seeking deeper technical confidence in how charging assets integrate across networks and how these complexities are reflected in contracts and operational responsibilities. DNV’s role was to provide an independent assessment of the charging platform, helping investors understand key technical risks, operational considerations and potential opportunities associated with the asset.”

The assessment highlighted both risks and opportunities relevant to the investment case, with particular attention given to the interaction between physical assets, software systems, grid infrastructure and operational processes. These interfaces are becoming increasingly critical as charging networks scale from asset deployment to long-term infrastructure operation.

Hari Vamadevan, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, UK and Ireland, Energy Systems at DNV said: “This transaction reflects the growing importance of EV charging infrastructure in the energy transition. For investors, the key question is no longer simply whether assets have been deployed, but whether the platform is technically robust, cyber-secure and capable of scaling in a constrained and evolving energy system.”

The acquisition underlines increasing investor focus on transport decarbonization and the role of EV charging infrastructure in enabling the energy transition. DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2025forecasts that EV market share will accelerate sharply in the 2030s, with electric vehicles expected to account for 50% of global new passenger car sales by 2032.

DNV | www.dnv.com

PowerCell Group AB (publ) and ECL announced a strategic partnership to deploy industrial-grade hydrogen fuel cell power across ECL's AI data center platform. The agreement comprises a firm purchase order for PowerCell PS190 fuel cell systems, alongside a separate non-binding memorandum of understanding between ECL and PowerCell for approximately 300 MW of additional hydrogen fuel cell capacity as ECL expands its FlexGrid data center footprint. The partnership is underpinned by PowerCell's industrial partnership with Bosch, its manufacturing partner and largest shareholder, which provides the manufacturing foundation to deliver at industrial scale.

The memorandum of understanding is non-binding and does not represent committed volume or revenue. Any future capacity would be subject to separate, definitive agreements.

Initial deployment begins at ECL's 35MW CSC-1 campus in Santa Clara, California, where containerized PowerCell fuel cell systems will integrate into ECL's FlexGrid microgrid architecture alongside grid power, natural gas and battery storage. The deployment expands on an existing PowerCell deployment at ECL's MV-1 facility in Mountain View, California, where hydrogen has been used as the primary power source for more than two years.

"ECL is among the very few operators who not only run hydrogen in production but understand how to orchestrate it intelligently alongside storage and other energy sources as one integrated system”, said Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group. “Our firm order for PowerCell PS190 systems, alongside our broader non-binding MOU, sends a clear signal that hydrogen-powered AI data centers are moving from first-of-kind toward industrial scale."

"Every AI roadmap we see is constrained by power, not imagination, funding or demand," said Yuval Bachar, founder and CEO of ECL. “Over the past two years we have continuously operated and optimized liquid hydrogen-powered AI infrastructure at our MV-1 facility, evaluating multiple fuel cell technologies under real operating conditions before selecting PowerCell. This is not a pilot or a proof of concept — we are deploying these PS190 units with the operational data to back it up, and we are signing an MOU for an additional 300 MW because the demand from AI operators for power in constrained markets far exceeds what any single grid connection can deliver."

PowerCell, which spun out of the Volvo Group, brings more than 25 years of fuel cell experience and over one million hours of field data across automotive, marine and stationary power applications. Bosch, PowerCell's manufacturing partner and largest shareholder, provides industrial-scale production and local service capability in North America to support ECL deployments.

Bosch supports this scalable approach by providing the industrial manufacturing foundation. The company also delivers the local North American service needed to integrate these hydrogen systems into core data center infrastructure. “Bringing hydrogen fuel cells to industrial scale requires more than strong technology; it requires manufacturing discipline, predictable quality and dependable lifecycle support, said Thilo Müller, Senior Vice President Fuel Cell Business at Bosch. Bosch is proud to bring that industrial foundation to the partnership with PowerCell and ECL. Our goal is to turn promising technology into reliable, long-term infrastructure.'"

PowerCell's Distributed Master Controller platform will integrate with ECL's Lightning real-time management system to manage dynamic load balancing across fuel cells, batteries, the grid, and natural gas at each FlexGrid site.

The approximately 300 MW figure represents a shared ambition under a non-binding memorandum of understanding. It does not represent committed capacity or revenue, and any future deployment would be subject to separate, definitive agreements. PowerCell's firm order is disclosed in a separate regulatory release issued today.

ECL | www.ecldc.com

PowerCell | www.powercellgroup.com

The International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) Electrical Division has achieved accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) to ISO/IEC 17020, the internationally recognized standard for inspection bodies, for Field Evaluation services across the United States.

This accreditation demonstrates that ICC-ES meets rigorous global benchmarks for competence, impartiality, and consistent operation in performing field evaluations of electrical equipment. The recognition further strengthens ICC-ES’ position as a trusted partner for manufacturers, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and other stakeholders seeking compliance with codes and standards.

“Today’s electrical industry demands compliance solutions that can keep pace with innovation while never compromising safety,” said Gurvinder Chopra, Vice President of Electrical Services, ICC-ES. “This ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation through A2LA strengthens our ability to support that future, by delivering Field Evaluation services grounded in technical excellence, impartiality, and trust. It is a meaningful step forward in helping manufacturers bring products to market responsibly and helping communities rely on safer, code-compliant electrical installations.”

Field evaluation services play a critical role in verifying that electrical equipment not certified through traditional listing processes meets applicable safety requirements prior to installation and use.

The scope of accreditation covers field evaluations of a wide range of electrical products and systems installed across industrial, commercial, and residential applications. ICC-ES staff can evaluate both new and existing equipment including custom-built, one-of-a-kind, modified, imported, relocated, and limited-production products to determine compliance with applicable electrical codes, product safety standards, and installation requirements.

To support manufacturers at the early stages of development, ICC-ES also offers several electrical services designed to streamline initial evaluations and prepare products for a successful compliance pathway.  

International Code Council Evaluation Service | www.icc-es.org/electrical

Clean Power Alliance (CPA), the nation’s leading green power provider and California’s largest community choice energy aggregator, has approved a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with renewable energy developer Avantus for the Rexford 2 solar and battery storage project. The project will deliver 200 megawatts (MW) of solar generation and 200 MW/800 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage capacity to support CPA’s growing portfolio of clean energy resources.

Located in Tulare County, Rexford 2 is expected to begin commercial operations under the PPA by May 1, 2029. With the 20-year agreement, CPA will receive the full output of the project’s solar generation and battery storage resources, including renewable energy, resource adequacy capacity, ancillary services and associated environmental attributes.

The project will provide long-term cost certainty for CPA customers through fixed contract pricing with no escalation over the life of the agreement.

“Rexford 2 is a sound investment in California’s clean energy future,” said CPA Vice President of Power Supply Lindsay Descagnia. “This project provides a fixed long-term price, helping protect our customers from energy market volatility while delivering renewable energy and battery storage that can help meet demand when it matters most. Just as importantly, it will create jobs and support economic development in a disadvantaged area of the state.”

The agreement builds on CPA’s existing relationship with the Rexford renewable energy complex. CPA already receives energy from the neighboring Rexford 1 project, which came online February 2025.

Developed by Avantus, one of California’s leading clean energy companies, Rexford 2 represents another significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure. Avantus has developed more than two dozen utility-scale renewable energy projects totaling approximately 5,000 MW of solar generation and 10,000 MWh of energy storage across the western United States.

“California's energy demand is growing, and we’re proud to develop and operate projects that deliver clean, reliable power,” said Avantus Executive Vice President of Origination and Energy Markets Valerie Barros. “Together with Clean Power Alliance, we will strengthen the grid, bring high-quality jobs and local revenue to Tulare County, and provide affordable renewable energy that helps California meet its clean energy goals.”

Rexford 2 will also provide 200 MW of Resource Adequacy. Its battery storage system will store solar energy generated during the day and dispatch it during periods of peak demand.

Based on estimated annual generation, the project's 200 MW of solar capacity is expected to produce enough clean electricity to serve approximately 84,000 homes each year. The project is expected to avoid approximately 210.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually — the equivalent of removing more than 22,000 cars from the road for one year or planting nearly 1.6 million trees and growing them for 10 years. The project's 200 MW/800 MWh battery storage system can deliver up to 200 MW of electricity for four hours, helping shift solar energy to periods of peak demand and supporting grid reliability when customers need it most.

Construction is expected to create approximately 500 direct construction jobs under a project labor agreement, along with 10 permanent operations positions. Workforce development opportunities will prioritize local participation and support workers in surrounding communities.

The site is on previously disturbed land, minimizing environmental impacts. It is also expected to support the local economy through capital investment, landowner payments and tax revenues associated with construction and operations.

Having advanced through late-stage development, Rexford 2 has secured key permits, site control, and interconnection agreements, positioning it as a viable, low-risk addition to CPA's energy portfolio.

Clean Power Alliance | www.cleanpoweralliance.org