{{Short description|Canada-based alternative energy company}} {{Infobox company | name = Hydrogenics | logo = Hydrogenics logo.png | parent = [[Cummins|Cummins Inc.]] (81%) <br/> [[Air Liquide]] (19%) <ref name="cumminshydro"/> | industry = Alternative Energy | founded = 1995 | hq_location_city = [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]] | hq_location_country = Canada | num_locations = [[Belgium]], [[Canada]], and [[Germany]] | key_people = President and CEO Daryl Wilson | products = [[Fuel Cells]]<br />[[Electrolysis|Electrolyzers]] | revenue = US$ 42.4 million | num_employees = 140 | subsidiaries = Hydrogenics Europe NV<br />Hydrogenics GmbH | website = {{URL|www.hydrogenics.com}} }}
'''Hydrogenics''' is a developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and [[fuel cell]] products based on [[electrolysis of water|water electrolysis]] and [[proton-exchange membrane]] (PEM) technology.<ref name=RenewableEnergy>{{cite news |title=Hydrogenics to develop fuel cell lunar power system for Canadian Space Agency |date=8 January 2010 |publisher=Renewable Energy Focus |url=http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/6317/hydrogenics-to-develop-fuel-cell-lunar-power-system-for-canadian-space-agency/ |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=NewTechnology>{{cite news |title=Green Hydrogen |author=Jim Bentein |date=January–February 2014 |publisher=New Technology Magazine |url=http://issuu.com/jwnenergy/docs/ntm_01022014?e=2473097/6543284 |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> Hydrogenics is divided into two business units: OnSite Generation and Power Systems. Onsite Generation is headquartered in Oevel, [[Belgium]], and had 73 full-time employees as of December 2013.<ref name=Edgar>{{cite web |title=Form 20-F |date=8 March 2013 |publisher=[[United States Securities and Exchange Commission]] |url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2408/117184313000921/filing-main.htm |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> Power Systems is based in [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], with a satellite facility in [[Gladbeck]], [[Germany]].<ref name="Edgar" /> It had 62 full-time employees as of December 2013.<ref name="Edgar" /> Hydrogenics maintains operations in Belgium, Canada and Germany with satellite offices in the [[United States]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]] and [[Russia]].<ref name=Edgar />
==Business overview==
===OnSite Generation=== The OnSite Generation business segment is based on [[electrolysis of water|water electrolysis]] technology, which involves the decomposition of water into oxygen ({{chem2|O2}}) and hydrogen gas ({{chem|H|2}}) by passing an electric current through a liquid [[electrolyte]].<ref name=Edgar /> The resultant [[hydrogen]] gas is then captured and used for industrial gas applications, hydrogen fueling applications, and is used to store renewable and surplus energy in the form of hydrogen gas.<ref name=Edgar /> Hydrogenics' HySTAT electrolyzer products can be used both indoors and outdoors.<ref name=Edgar />
===Power Systems=== The Power Systems business segment is based on PEM fuel cell technology, which transforms chemical energy resulting from the electrochemical reaction of [[hydrogen]] and [[oxygen]] into electrical energy. (Edgar) Its HyPM products can handle electrical power outputs ranging from 1 [[kilowatt]] to 1 [[megawatt]].<ref name=Edgar /> The company also develops and delivers hydrogen generation products based on PEM water electrolysis.<ref name=Edgar />
===Power to Gas=== {{Main article|Power to gas}} Power-to-Gas is an energy process and storage technology, which takes the excess power generated by [[wind turbine]]s, [[solar power]], or [[biomass]] power plants and converts [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]] into [[methane]] using [[electrolysis]], enabling it be stored.<ref name=CleanTech>{{cite news |title=Germany To Begin Renewable Power-To-Gas Research Project |author=Tim Tyler |publisher=Clean Technia |date=24 May 2013 |url=http://cleantechnica.com/2013/05/24/germany-to-begin-renewable-power-to-gas-research-project/ |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=GridGas>{{cite web|title=Power to Gas |publisher=GridGas |url=http://www.gridgas.co.uk/power-to-gas.html |access-date=31 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601060853/http://www.gridgas.co.uk/power-to-gas.html |archive-date=1 June 2014 }}</ref><ref name=GTAI>{{cite web |title=GTAI Power-to-Gas Technology |url=http://www.gtai.de/GTAI/Navigation/EN/Invest/Industries/Smarter-business/Smart-energy/power-to-gas.html |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808041104/http://www.gtai.de/GTAI/Navigation/EN/Invest/Industries/Smarter-business/Smart-energy/power-to-gas.html |archive-date=8 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The excess [[electricity]] can then be held in existing reserves, including power and natural gas grids.<ref name=GridGas /><ref name=GTAI /> This allows for seasonally adjusted storage of significant amounts of power and the provision of {{CO2}}-neutral fuels in the form of the resulting [[renewable energy]] source gas.<ref name=GridGas /><ref name=GTAI />
==History== In 1988, Hydrogenics was founded under the name Traduction Militech Translation Inc. On 20 August 1990, it changed its name to Hydrogenics Corporation and entered into the fuel cell technology development business in August 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2007 |title=Hydrogenics Corporation: Annual Information Form (For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006) |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1119985/000090956707000447/o35394exv99w3.htm |access-date=18 May 2026 |website=[[SEC.gov]]}}</ref><ref name="FuelCellsBook">{{cite book |last=Hikosaka Behling |first=Noriko |title=Fuel Cells, Current Technology Challenges and Future Research Needs |publisher=[[Elsevier]] |date=2013 |isbn=978-0-444-56325-5 |pages=435, 446–7, 456, 528, 558–560, 563}}</ref>
In 2002, Hydrogenics acquired EnKAT GmbH, which formed its Hydrogenics Europe division.<ref name=profit>{{cite news |title=Generation H |author=Lee Oliver |date=1 June 2003 |publisher=Profit Magazine}}</ref> It also acquired Greenlight Power Technologies, Inc., a competing fuel cell testing business, in 2003.<ref name=profit /> A year later, in 2004, the company acquired Stuart Energy, a manufacturer of hydrogen-generation products based on alkaline electrolyte technology.<ref name=FuelCellsBook /><ref name=FuelCellsBulletin>{{cite news |title=Hydrogenics succeeds in Stuart Energy bid |date=February 2005 |publisher=Fuel Cells Bulletin}}</ref>
In 2007, Hydrogenics narrowed the focus of its fuel cell activities by exiting the fuel cell testing business and working more on forklift power and backup power markets.<ref name=FuelCellsBook /> That same year, Heliocentris partnered with Hydrogenics and SMA Solar Technologie to incorporate Hydrogenics' fuel cell power modules into stationary backup power systems.<ref name=FuelCellsBook />
In September 2010, Hydrogenics formed an alliance with [[CommScope Inc.]], a [[Hickory, North Carolina]]–based multinational [[telecommunication]]s company.<ref name=iStock>{{cite news|title=Hydrogenics (HYGS) Receives Power Modules Order From Commscope |date=5 December 2012 |url=http://www.istockanalyst.com/finance/story/6175387/hydrogenics-hygs-receives-power-modules-order-from-commscope |access-date=31 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814102857/http://www.istockanalyst.com/finance/story/6175387/hydrogenics-hygs-receives-power-modules-order-from-commscope |archive-date=14 August 2014 }}</ref> Per the alliance, CommScope invested US$8.5 million in Hydrogenics as part of a joint product development program.<ref name=FuelCellsBook /><ref name=CanadianMan>{{cite news |title=Power-to-gas technology enables utility-scale storage of renewable energy |publisher=Clean Tech Canada |url=http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/technology/power-to-gas-technology-enables-utility-scale-storage-of-renewable-energy-133691/#prclt-b5mi2t9U |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref>
Hydrogenics signed a [[Memorandum of Understanding|memorandum of understanding]] (MoU) with Iwatani Corporation, a Japanese industrial energy company, in April 2012.<ref name=FuelCell>{{cite news |title=Hydrogenics Targets Japanese Market with Iwatani Agreement |date=7 August 2012 |publisher=FuelCell Today |url=http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/news-archive/2012/august/hydrogenics-targets-japanese-market-with-iwatani-agreement#sthash.QOh2JK4T.dpuf |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> The companies began to collaborate on hydrogen solutions in the Japanese energy market, including utility-scale hydrogen energy storage, hydrogen generation and fuelling, fuel cell integration, and industrial hydrogen generation.<ref name=FuelCell /> Later that month Hydrogenics and [[Enbridge]] Inc. entered into a joint venture to develop utility-scale energy storage beginning in [[Ontario]].<ref name=CanadianMan /><ref name=CBC>{{cite news |title=Tax Season Hydrogenics and Enbridge to develop utility-scale energy storage |publisher=[[The Associated Press]] |date=23 April 2012 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/hydrogenics-and-enbridge-to-develop-utility-scale-energy-storage-1.1286432 |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> Under the agreement, hydrogen produced during periods of excess renewable generation will be injected into Enbridge's existing natural gas pipeline network.<ref name=CBC /> In June 2013, Hydrogenics announced that its Power-to-Gas facility was operational with the first direct injection of hydrogen into a gas pipeline.<ref name=Windpower>{{cite news |title=A novel way to store excess wind power: as {{chem|H|2}} in gas lines |author=Paul Dvorak |date=26 November 2013 |publisher=Windpower Engineering & Development |url=http://www.windpowerengineering.com/news/novel-way-store-excess-wind-power-h2-gas-lines/ |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref>
Hydrogenics entered into a joint venture with [[South Korea]]–based Kolon Water & Energy to provide power generation in the country in June 2014.<ref name=marketinsider>{{cite news |title=Traders Are Watching – LDK Solar Co., Ltd (ADR) (OTCMKTS:LDKSY), Hydrogenics Corporation (USA) (NASDAQ:HYGS), Science Applications International Corp (NYSE:SAIC), Kindred Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ:KIN) |date=14 July 2014 |publisher=Markets Insider |url=http://www.marketsinsider.com/traders-are-watching-ldk-solar-co-ltd-adr-otcmktsldksy-hydrogenics-corporation-usa-nasdaqhygs-science-applications-international-corp-nysesaic-kindred-biosciences-inc-nasd/32233/ |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728114418/http://www.marketsinsider.com/traders-are-watching-ldk-solar-co-ltd-adr-otcmktsldksy-hydrogenics-corporation-usa-nasdaqhygs-science-applications-international-corp-nysesaic-kindred-biosciences-inc-nasd/32233/ |archive-date=28 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2015, Hydrogenics partnered with French railway manufacturer [[Alstom]] to provide hydrogen fuel cell systems for their [[hydrogen train]], the [[Alstom Coradia LINT|Coradia iLint]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 September 2020 |title=Power to passenger trains: How hydrogen can revolutionize railway operations in Europe |url=https://www.cummins.com/en-na/news/2020/02/28/power-passenger-trains-how-hydrogen-can-revolutionize-railway-operations-europe |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2026 |website=[[Cummins]]}}</ref>
In 2019, 81% of Hydrogenics was acquired by [[Cummins]], with the other 19% owned by [[Air Liquide]]. Hydrogenomics would report under Cummins' Electrified Power business segment, which was later renamed New Power.<ref name="cumminshydro">{{cite web| url=https://www.cummins.com/news/releases/2019/09/09/cummins-closes-its-acquisition-hydrogenics|title=Cummins closes on its acquisition of Hydrogenics | date=2019-09-09 | access-date=2020-07-23 |publisher=Cummins Inc.}}</ref>
In March 2023, New Power was rebranded as "Accelera by Cummins".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet Accelera {{!}} An energy technology brand powered by Cummins Inc. |url=https://www.accelerazero.com/about |access-date=18 May 2026 |website=Accelera by Cummins}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Susan |date=8 March 2023 |title=Cummins reveals Accelera as new brand for its green-tech power biz |url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/cummins-announces-new-brand-accelera-for-its-green-tech-power-biz |access-date=18 May 2026 |website=[[Indianapolis Business Journal]]}}</ref> Accelera would supply hydrogen technology developed by Hydrogenics, such as their [[Proton-exchange membrane|proton exchange membrane]] (PEM) [[Proton exchange membrane electrolysis|electrolyzer]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2021 |title=Accelera Hydrogen Technology Powers the Largest Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer in Operation in the World |url=https://www.accelerazero.com/news/accelera-hydrogen-technology-powers-largest-proton-exchange-membrane-pem-electrolyzer |access-date=18 May 2026 |website=Accelera by Cummins}}</ref>
In April 2026, Alstom acquired Accelera's rail-dedicated hydrogen division to enhance their in-house engineering and support capabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2026 |title=Alstom integrates rail fuel‑cell capabilities to strengthen customer operations |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2026/4/alstom-integrates-rail-fuel-cell-capabilities-strengthen-customer-operations |access-date=18 May 2026 |website=[[Alstom]]}}</ref> This included the purchase of Cummins' fuel cell facility at [[Herten]], Germany, which had been primarily operating to supply Alstom with hydrogen fuel cells for their trains.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Cummins to open new fuel cell systems production facility in Germany, strengthening its commitment to hydrogen in Europe |url=https://www.cummins.com/en-na/news/releases/2020/11/12/cummins-open-new-fuel-cell-systems-production-facility-germany |access-date=18 May 2026 |website=[[Cummins]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2026 |title=Alstom acquires Cummins hydrogen fuel cell business |url=https://www.railjournal.com/financial/alstom-acquires-cummins-hydrogen-fuel-cell-business/ |access-date=18 May 2026 |website=[[International Railway Journal]]}}</ref>
===Projects=== In June 2000, [[General Motors]] and Hydrogenics released their codeveloped HydroGen1, a vehicle powered by a first generation [[proton exchange membrane fuel cell]] system.<ref name=FuelCellsBook /> The following year, in October, the two companies developed low-pollution technology to power cars and trucks.<ref name=NYTimesGM>{{cite news |title=COMPANY NEWS; G.M. TO BUY STAKE IN COMPANY THAT DEVELOPS FUEL CELLS |date=17 October 2001 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/17/business/company-news-gm-to-buy-stake-in-company-that-develops-fuel-cells.html |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref>
In December 2002, [[Natural Resources Canada]] (NRCan) selected Hydrogenics to develop a next-generation hybrid fuel cells bus; Hydrogenics integrated its vehicle-to-grid technology into a 12.5 meter [[New Flyer]] Inverno 40i [[transit bus]].<ref name=FuelCellsBook /> Hydrogenics' FC Hybrid Tecnobus [[midibus]] was exhibited in Europe in 2005.<ref name=FuelCellsBook />
In January 2010, Hydrogenics began development of a next-generation power system to be used for surface mobility applications on the moon for the [[Canadian Space Agency]].<ref name=RenewableEnergy /> The system includes an electrolyzer that produces both [[hydrogen]] and [[oxygen]] using [[solar power]], and a [[fuel cell]] system that can be used for mobility, auxiliary, and [[life support system]]s.<ref name=RenewableEnergy /> Heliocentris and FAUN Umwelttechnick collaborated with Hydrogenics to develop a hybrid waste disposal vehicle for BSR (Berliner Stadtreinigung) in August of that year.<ref name=FuelCellsBook />
In July 2012, Hydrogenics joined a consortium with EU members to build the world's largest steady state hydrogen storage facility in the Puglia region of [[Italy]].<ref name=RenewableEnergy1>{{cite news |title=EU and Canada team to build world's largest hydrogen storage system |author=Karrissa Singh |date=23 July 2012 |publisher=Renewable Energy Technology |url=http://www.renewable-energy-technology.net/grid-energy-storage-news/eu-canada-team-build-world%E2%80%99s-largest-hydrogen-storage-system |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305081642/http://www.renewable-energy-technology.net/grid-energy-storage-news/eu-canada-team-build-world%E2%80%99s-largest-hydrogen-storage-system |url-status=dead }}</ref> The system is part of the R&D smart grid project "INGRID".<ref name=CanadianMan /><ref name=RenewableEnergy1 />
In April 2013, Hydrogenics won a contract to supply a 1 megawatt hydrogen energy storage system to German utility [[E.ON]] in [[Hamburg]].<ref name=Energy>{{cite news |title=Hydrogenics wins 1 MW P2G contract from E.ON. |date=3 June 2013 |publisher=Energy Storage Journal |url=http://www.energystoragejournal.com/hydrogenics-wins-1-mw-p2g-contract-from-e-on/ |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> The system will use electrolyzers based on Hydrogenics' [[proton exchange membrane]] (PEM) technology for [[hydrogen production]] and use excess power generated from regional renewable energy sources, primarily wind energy.<ref name=Energy /> In November the first of E.ON's P2G facilities provided by Hydrogenics became operational.<ref name=Windpower /> The [[Falkenhagen]] facility uses wind-powered electrolysis equipment to transform water to hydrogen, which is then mixed with natural gas.<ref name=NewTechnology /><ref name=Windpower />
In February 2014, Hydrogenics was awarded two projects with the [[United Kingdom]] government.<ref name=HydrogenFuel>{{cite news |title=Hydrogenics to help bolster UK hydrogen fuel infrastructure |date=3 February 2014 |url=http://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/hydrogenics-help-bolster-uk-hydrogen-fuel-infrastructure/8516245/ |access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> Hydrogenics will provide its technology to build hydrogen fuel stations throughout the UK.<ref name=CanadianMan /><ref name=HydrogenFuel />
Hydrogenics was selected as a Preferred Respondent for a power-to-gas project in Ontario by the [[Independent Electricity System Operator]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gasworld.com/regions/north-america/hydrogenics-chosen-for-energy-facility/2004102.article | title = Hydrogenics chosen for energy facility | author = Stuart Radnedge | work = Gas World | date = 28 July 2014 | access-date = 5 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://energystorage.org/news/esa-news/hydrogenics-selected-2-megawatt-energy-storage-facility-ontario | title = Hydrogenics Selected for 2 Megawatt Energy Storage Facility in Ontario | publisher = Energy Storage Association | date = 29 July 2014 | access-date = 5 August 2014 | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222843/http://energystorage.org/news/esa-news/hydrogenics-selected-2-megawatt-energy-storage-facility-ontario | url-status = dead }}</ref> (IESO), a corporation responsible for operating the electricity market and directing the operation of the bulk electrical system in the province of Ontario, Canada, in July 2014.
==See also== *[[Power to gas]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.hydrogenics.com Official site]
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[[Category:Sustainable energy]] [[Category:Fuel cell manufacturers]] [[Category:Electrolysis]] [[Category:Energy companies of Canada]] [[Category:Membrane technology]] [[Category:Technology companies of Canada]] [[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Mississauga]] [[Category:Cummins]]