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HYPRAEL analysis: does Berkeley’s AEM breakthrough threaten or validate alkaline electrolysis (AEL) leadership?

Experts at HYPRAEL evaluate the impact of UC Berkeley’s new AEM electrolyzer design on durability and cost. Discover why AEL technology remains the most viable and scalable choice for industrial green hydrogen production.

The global clean energy community is buzzing about the recent announcement from UC Berkeley regarding a significant milestone in Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology. The research claims to have mitigated the crucial issue of polymer degradation, potentially lowering manufacturing costs dramatically. This development, while impressive, requires careful strategic context. As specialists in Alkaline Electrolysis (AEL), HYPRAEL recognizes the importance of the research, yet we must underscore the proven maturity of AEL. This article details the key differences, the strategic market response, and why AEL continues to hold the industrial advantage in longevity, tested efficiency, and current scale. Read on for our detailed technological comparison.

AEM’s theoretical cost vs. AEL’s industrial reality

While the cost reduction potential of AEM is appealing, the technology must now transition from lab success to multi-megawatt industrial reliability—a threshold AEL has surpassed for decades. AEL, by utilizing robust and inexpensive liquid electrolytes, avoids the high material costs associated with some membrane systems, making its operational expenditure (OPEX) highly competitive over the long term. This operational stability, essential for continuous industrial output, is the critical advantage AEM must still prove.

Why longevity and efficiency drive HYPRAEL’s AEL strategy

The key metric for industrial-scale deployment is the total cost of ownership (TCO). The long lifespan and established recycling processes of AEL components contribute significantly to its lower TCO. HYPRAEL remains focused on refining AEL’s efficiency curve and further reducing its capital expenditure (CAPEX) to maintain our edge. The Berkeley study, by tackling durability, highlights the fundamental engineering trade-offs inherent in all electrolysis methods.

The hydrogen future: a strong market built on strong competition

HYPRAEL views the progress in AEM as beneficial for the entire green hydrogen sector. Increased competition fosters innovation and validates the global commitment to electrifying fuel production. Our message is clear: the technology is mature, the investment is urgent, and Alkaline Electrolysis (AEL) is the reliable choice for today’s large-scale projects.

Contact HYPRAEL today to discuss how AEL can power your next industrial descarbonization project.

Alkaline electrolysis: 8% of european publications confirms its technological dominance

HYPRAEL, a leader in alkaline electrolysis (AEL) solutions for green hydrogen production, welcomes the publication of The Hydrogen Education and Research Landscape report (October 2025). The report highlights the relevance and growing attention the European scientific community is dedicating to alkaline technology.

The analysis, which tracks publications and patents across Europe (EU27, EFTA, and UK) from 2006 to 2025, reveals that alkaline electrolysis accounts for 8% of the total publications identified in the fields of clean hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cells.

The focus shifts to production

This data point is critical, as the study notes a “growing emphasis on publications and patents related to hydrogen production.”

AEL, being the most mature, proven production technology with lower manufacturing costs (as it does not require precious metals as catalysts), is positioned as the most robust and cost-effective solution to meet the increasing demand for green hydrogen at industrial scale.

The report also highlights the presence of alkaline technology in the fuel cell sector, where it accounts for 5% of publications.

HYPRAEL invites media and industry stakeholders to review the full report and visit its website to explore how its state-of-the-art alkaline electrolysers are optimising efficiency and lowering the cost of green hydrogen.

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HYPRAEL’s hydrogen innovations take center stage at HANNOVER MESSE!

Hannover, Germany – The HYPRAEL project is making waves at one of the world’s leading industrial trade fairs, HANNOVER MESSE! Our esteemed partner, Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, is proudly showcasing cutting-edge hydrogen technology at their booth, highlighting the significant advancements being made within the HYPRAEL project.

Attendees visiting the Fraunhofer IWS booth have a unique opportunity to explore the groundbreaking work central to HYPRAEL, with a special focus on our innovative electrolysis technology. This visibility at a global event like Hannover Messe underscores the project’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of green hydrogen production.

Fraunhofer IWS’s crucial role in HYPRAEL:

Within the HYPRAEL consortium, Fraunhofer IWS plays a pivotal role in the development and optimization of advanced materials and processes for alkaline electrolyzers. Their expertise is instrumental in:

  • Designing and synthesizing novel electrode materials with enhanced catalytic activity and durability.
  • Developing innovative coating technologies to improve the efficiency and lifespan of critical components.
  • Conducting in-depth material characterization and testing under realistic operating conditions to ensure performance and reliability.
  • Contributing to the fundamental understanding of electrochemical processes within the electrolyzer cell.

Their work directly contributes to achieving HYPRAEL’s goal of developing highly efficient, cost-effective, and robust alkaline electrolysis solutions, paving the way for scalable green hydrogen production. The insights and technologies developed by Fraunhofer IWS are core to the project’s success in advancing the state-of-the-art in AEL.

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A big thank you to Fraunhofer IWS for their incredible dedication and for featuring HYPRAEL’s advancements so prominently at this prestigious event. Their efforts are invaluable to our collective mission.

If you are attending Hannover Messe, we strongly encourage you to visit the Fraunhofer IWS booth to learn more about the exciting developments within HYPRAEL and the broader hydrogen landscape.

Stay tuned for more updates on HYPRAEL’s progress as we continue to drive innovation in green hydrogen technology!

 

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HYPRAEL reaches its Mid-Term Review: progress and next challenges

HYPRAEL project, dedicated to the development of advanced alkaline electrolysis technology for the production of H2 under pressure with near-zero energy loss potential, has reached a key milestone: its Mid-Term Review. During this event, all consortium partners met to discuss the progress made to date and to map out the strategies needed to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

With nine ambitious targets, HYPRAEL continues to set a promising course towards the future of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. The meeting highlighted the collaborative work between the partners, which has enabled initial hurdles to be overcome and a solid foundation to be laid for the next phases of the project. However, it was also recognised that there is still a long way to go to reach the final goal.

As the project progresses, participants remain committed to continue innovating and collaborating to achieve the set objectives.