Hyundai, Kia, and Next Hydrogen collaborate to explore advanced alkaline water electrolysis tech

Hyundai and Kia are all set to collaborate with Next Hydrogen, in order to develop an advanced alkaline water electrolysis system. The news around the collaboration was affirmed via the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), unveiled earlier this week.

The joint efforts of the trio are said to bolster the efforts of this newly formed merger, which will be ushering a global hydrogen society, developed through cost-effective production of clean hydrogen. 

Under the freshly signed MOU, the companies will jointly develop an alkaline water electrolysis system along with its related stack. The operation is set to provide success to the process of generating green hydrogen economically, exploring new business opportunities and technological applications.

Whilst exploring new and less stressful methods to generate hydrogen, Next Hydrogen, Hyundai, and Kia identified the electrolysis of alkaline water as one of the most technologically rigorous methods that were effective. In theory, alkaline water electrolysis systems allow the electrolysis of water using alkaline electrolytes like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH).

Among the different methods listed for water electrolysis, the alkaline water electrolysis system will be providing us with the advantage of using relatively inexpensive catalysts, and produce large-scale hydrogen, lowering the facility costs.

Currently, generating clean hydrogen is one of the most expensive and time-consuming processes. Together, the given collaboration of these organizations is also taking into account the regional climate and environmental characteristics. Before beginning their operations, the trio is expected to examine the strengths and weaknesses of various water electrolysis technologies as well.

With an aim to advance stack-related technologies at the core of the alkaline water electrolysis tech, the system will be reducing the costs of building and operating the system.

Lastly, the primary benefit of the collaboration will be benefiting the performance of stack-related technologies used in the process of alkaline water electrolysis, aiding green hydrogen economically.

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