Plug Power has been awarded a contract to deliver a 5-megawatt (MW) containerized proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer system to international energy company Irving Oil for the production and distribution of H₂ at its Saint John, New Brunswick refinery, the largest in Canada.

Irving Oil will use the electrolyzer to help with its goal of shifting its H₂ production to low-carbon, or green H₂ in the future – with the investment of the electrolyzer as an important first step on this journey. This supports the company’s commitment to leadership through the energy transition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and developing more sustainable energy solutions.

Initially, Plug ’s electrolyzer technology, powered by the local electricity grid, will enable Irving Oil to produce 2 tpd of H₂ for refining and mobility applications. Plug’s electrolyzer systems help customers shift H₂ production to carbon-free green H₂ over time.

“Demand for green H₂ is growing because companies that have relied on other forms of H₂ are recognizing the viability of achieving net-zero carbon emission targets,” Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug, said. “Driven by our leading electrolyzer technology and unparalleled manufacturing capacity, we are honored that Irving Oil has chosen Plug to support its initial investment in electrolytic H₂ production. We look forward to expanding the partnership.”

Irving Oil’s initial investment in a 5-MW unit offers the opportunity to explore the role of electrolyzer technology in driving emissions reductions at the Saint John refinery while also unlocking important new market opportunities, such as making H₂ available for regional customers.

“We believe that low-carbon H₂ production, use, and distribution will play an important role in our decarbonization journey,” said Irving Oil President Ian Whitcomb. “This foundational project will accelerate our company’s learning about H₂ as a downstream product while creating a decarbonization pathway for our Saint John refinery.”

Plug’s 5 MW containerized electrolyzer system for the Saint John, New Brunswick refinery will be manufactured at Plug’s Gigafactory in Rochester, N.Y., the world’s first and largest PEM fuel cell and electrolyzer manufacturing Gigafactory. Following manufacturing, deployment of the technology at the oil refinery is expected in Q3 2023, and H₂ production is expected to be fully operational by late 2023.

Plug has been a leader in PEM electrolysis technology for nearly 50 years and was recently named the number one H₂ electrolyzer company by Guidehouse Insights. In May 2022, Plug secured the world’s largest electrolyzer order to date with H₂ Energy Europe.