Atura Power Selects Cummins To Design, Manufacture 20 MW Electrolyzer System For Niagara Hydrogen Centre

Atura Power has selected Cummins Inc. to design and manufacture the electrolyzer system for its Niagara Hydrogen Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. This will be Ontario’s first 20-megawatt (MW) green hydrogen facility.

Cummins’ proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis system will be manufactured at its Mississauga, Ontario facility and become the center-piece of Atura Power’s Niagara Hydrogen Centre.

PEM electrolyzer system

Powered by renewable hydroelectricity, the electrolyzer system will split water into oxygen and ‘green’ hydrogen

Powered by renewable hydroelectricity, the electrolyzer system will split water into oxygen and ‘green’ hydrogen. This carbon-free green hydrogen will then be available to industrial customers for immediate consumption.

It will also be transported and blended into the fuel stream at Atura Power’s Halton Hills Generating Station, creating cleaner electricity for Ontario.

Atura Power – Cummins partnership

“We are thrilled to partner with Atura Power to provide green power in Ontario,” said Alexey Ustinov, the Vice President of Electrolyzers at Cummins, adding “This project is a great demonstration of the potential of PEM electrolyzer technology to decarbonize our power sources and lay the groundwork for a sustainable future.”

Alexey Ustinov continues, “Once completed, this project will be the second 20 MW electrolyzer installation for Cummins in Canada and an important milestone in scaling the green hydrogen economy in North America.”

Detailed design work and system integration

Detailed design work and system integration is underway, with plans to bring the Niagara Hydrogen Centre online in early 2024.

Atura Power conducted a competitive procurement process in early 2022 and Cummins provided a strong technical solution for the Niagara Hydrogen Centre. Cummins acquired Mississauga-based Hydrogenics in 2019 and has continued to expand its hydrogen and other zero-emissions technologies portfolio, which includes PEM and alkaline electrolyzer solutions.

Niagara Hydrogen Centre

The Niagara Hydrogen Centre is our flagship facility that will set the pace for our green and low-carbon hydrogen projects"

“The Niagara Hydrogen Centre is our flagship facility that will set the pace for our green and low-carbon hydrogen projects,” says Shelley Babin, the President and CEO of Atura Power, adding “The heart of the facility is the electrolyzer, and we are excited to be working with an experienced and accomplished industry leader in Cummins.” 

Atura Power is implementing a low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen program that will help reduce greenhouse gases, while supporting economy-wide decarbonization. An enabler of clean energy, the company is positioned to help build the hydrogen economy in Ontario, Canada.

Low-carbon hydrogen

Low-carbon hydrogen will be an important tool in the fight against climate change. Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), supports the net-zero goals outlined in OPG’s Climate Change Plan.

Energy Minister, Todd Smith, said “This project aims to build one of Canada’s largest green-energy hubs and it’s an important part of our work to transform the future of energy, reduce emissions and protect the environment. I’m proud to see Ontario continuing to build on its international prominence as a clean energy jurisdiction to become a leader in the hydrogen economy that will drive job creation and economic growth across our province.”

Reduction of carbon emissions

“I’m proud of our local employer Cummins’ leadership and innovation and their exceptional team for bringing new and exciting opportunities to our region,” said Mississauga-Malton MPP Deepak Anand, adding “Our government under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford is committed to supporting partnerships like this one with Atura Power to ensure that our region continues to prosper and create good jobs for local families.”

Green and low-carbon hydrogen will reduce or offset emissions in a variety of applications, including:

• As a low-carbon fuel substitute for feedstock in high-emitting industrial processes,
• Blending hydrogen with natural gas to reduce its carbon impact, and
• Powering fuel cells in vehicles which could help decarbonize the heavy-duty and long-haul trucking industry.

Both the federal and provincial governments noted the potential for hydrogen to play a key role in helping meet climate change objectives.