Researchers at Finland’s LUT University have achieved a record voltage of 1,000 V in a series-connected alkaline electrolysis system, aiming to improve the cost efficiency of green hydrogen production. According to the researchers, by increasing voltage, the system reduces current requirements, lowering electrical losses and the costs of power supply and power electronics, which account for approximately one-quarter of a hydrogen plant’s investment costs. According to the researchers, halving these costs could reduce total system investment by around 10% to 15%. The research, conducted using ABB power electronics and electrolyser stacks supplied by Estonia-based Stargate Hydrogen, will now focus on optimising system design, modelling and minimising stray currents to support the scale-up of high-voltage electrolysis. Industrial alkaline electrolysers usually operate at roughly a voltage of 200–400 V.

Japan’s Jera and India’s AM Green have signed a binding agreement for the long-term supply of approximately 70,000 metric tons of green ammonia annually over five years, marking a significant step toward establishing an international renewable fuel supply chain for maritime transport. Announced on October 27, the agreement covers supplies from AM Green’s planned ammonia production facility in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, which is expected to begin operations in 2028-2029. The ammonia will be transported to Japan and supplied through receiving, storage, and distribution facilities near Jera’s Hekinan thermal power station in Aichi Prefecture. The fuel is intended primarily for ammonia-powered car carriers, with JERA working alongside shipping companies Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha to develop dedicated bunkering infrastructure. Separately, seven Japanese companies have agreed to develop an integrated ammonia supply chain in the Chubu region and build and operate four ammonia-fueled car carriers, with the vessels and a dedicated bunkering ship scheduled for completion in 2030.

The European Commission launched the T-MED Investment Platform, to mobilise large-scale investment in renewable energy and clean technologies across the Mediterranean. EU support will include up to €4.5 billion in guarantee capacity. Among the selected projects, the Niat and Rasgha Wind Projects in Egypt will bring 500 MW of new onshore wind to the Gulf of Suez, strengthening the renewable base for Egypt’s future hydrogen production through European wind technology.

Six researchers from the University of Trieste compared renewable hydrogen imports from Oman with domestic production in Italy, finding that importing hydrogen could be more cost-effective, while local production offers a lower carbon footprint. The research, published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, assesses two supply chains based on proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), including renewable electricity generation, hydrogen liquefaction, storage, transportation, and regasification. The analysis estimates a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of €7.84/kg for imports from Oman, compared with €10.22/kg for domestic production in Italy. However, the Italian supply chain records lower lifecycle emissions, at 2.26 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram of hydrogen, against 2.62 kg for imports. The engineers said in “A comparative life-cycle and techno-economic assessment of renewable hydrogen supply chains: Domestic production in Italy and imports from Oman” that electrolysis is the largest contributor to both emissions and costs, accounting for up to 81% of the carbon footprint and 74.4% of the LCOH. Maritime shipping accounts for around 10% of the imported hydrogen’s final cost. The study also identifies ports and regional initiatives such as the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley as potential hubs for integrating domestic production and international imports.