Prodrive Technologies paves the way for scalable and cost-effective hydrogen production
Prodrive Technologies focuses on a wide range of markets, from semiconductors, medical technology, energy and infrastructure to mobility, industry and defence. “It may seem very diverse, but what all our customers have in common is that they work with systems that require a high level of operational reliability and a long lifecycle,” says Wouter van Gennip. “To this end, we design, develop and build critical subsystems.”
Making the world a better place
As Global Sales Director Hydrogen, Van Gennip travels all over the world for a market that is still relatively new: green hydrogen. This new market feels familiar, he explains. “Because electrolysers in hydrogen plants also require a high level of operational reliability and must remain in operation for decades.” The high-tech company based in Son, North Brabant, is keen to make a difference in the green hydrogen sector. “In doing so, we’re contributing to a sustainable future. Personally, I also prefer to work on products that make the world a better place.”
67 per cent annual growth
Furthermore, green hydrogen is a highly attractive market from an economic perspective, Van Gennip emphasises. “Installed capacity has grown globally by an average of 67 per cent per year. Judging by the investment plans in Europe and Asia, that upward trend is set to continue in the coming years. You rarely come across growth markets like this in your lifetime, so we at Prodrive Technologies are keen to capitalise on this opportunity.”
For autonomy and diversification
The growing production of green hydrogen comes as no surprise to Van Gennip. “It’s not just about the ambitions to become more sustainable. The main trigger right now is geopolitical developments. Countries want autonomy and diversification of their energy systems.”
Compact, powerful and modular
For all those hydrogen-producing countries, Prodrive Technologies has now developed something truly unique: the Hydra Rectifier. Rectifiers convert alternating current (AC) from the mains supply into direct current (DC), enabling electrolysers to produce hydrogen. But that is not what makes the Hydra Rectifier unique. “Under the name Typhon, we offer an integrated system of rectifiers and transformers housed in a 20-foot container. It is much more compact and powerful than competing systems and, what’s more, modular: you can very easily adapt it to the power requirements of the electrolyser.”
Overcoming bottlenecks
Van Gennip lists even more advantages. “We are resolving a number of current pain points in hydrogen production. First and foremost, the production cost of green hydrogen, which depends largely on the price of electricity. Efficient energy conversion is therefore crucial. Instead of the usual 5 per cent, our system reduces energy loss to 1.3 per cent, which also means you use less energy to cool the electrolyser. Secondly, building hydrogen plants is expensive. We offer a modular, turnkey solution, saving you a great deal of time and money on design and engineering. Finally, we offer a solution for power grid disturbances. Thanks to the SiC technology (for semiconductors, ed.) we use, the Typhon can not only prevent disturbances from feeding into the grid, but also withstand them effectively and even help to stabilise the power grid locally.”
Deliveries to begin in 2028
Several prototypes and field test set-ups are demonstrating the theoretical benefits in practice as well. “Next summer, we want to carry out trial runs with the first batch of production units,” says Van Gennip. “In 2028, we’ll really start supplying the market.” That market isn’t necessarily far from home. “Europe is set to become a major producer in the coming years. That is our primary focus, and we can manage that perfectly well from our home base in Son. But we are also active in other markets.”
International ambitions
Prodrive Technologies’ hydrogen ambitions are therefore not limited to the Netherlands and Europe. “Our ambition is to become the global market leader.” Are there any clouds on the horizon that might dim this vision? Van Gennip pauses to think for a moment and then points to another well-known growth market: AI. “The only bottleneck I can see is that the construction of data centres is creating a shortage of crucial components for hydrogen production.” Fortunately, Prodrive Technologies can afford to be patient. “We are not a start-up that has staked everything on hydrogen. This product is also applicable in the AI industry. Furthermore, we have a broad portfolio of stable, national and international partners.” From this stable position, Prodrive Technologies looks forward to the transition to green hydrogen with confidence.
“Our ambition is to become the global market leader”
Curious to see what Prodrive Technologies’ technology looks like? Wouter van Gennip takes you through it and provides further explanation in this video:
