Cummins expanding hydrogen power efforts
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Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) is heavily investing in hydrogen power as part of its global decarbonization goals with the dedication of an electrolyzer manufacturing facility in Minnesota. The powertrain maker has allocated a nearly 90,000-square-foot section of an existing plant in the Twin Cities to build the proton exchange membrane (PEM) system that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The hydrogen gas is then used to power hydrogen fuel cells used in next generation trucks, trains and buses. The energy can be stored as a compressed gas or in liquified form.
“Expanding Cummins’ electrolyzer manufacturing footprint to the United States is a milestone not only for our company but an important step in advancing global decarbonization efforts,” said Alexey Ustinov, Vice President of Electrolyzers at Cummins.
The Minnesota plant is Cummins’ first U.S. electrolyzer manufacturing facility. The company already operates an electrolyzer manufacturing site in Belgium, and has new factories planned for Spain and China.
Last week, Cummins said it would add space to a factory in Mississauga, Ontario to expand manufacturing capacity.
“Cummins’ ability to leverage our manufacturing, engineering and sourcing knowledge to build capacity will help us meet increased customer demand and continue to accelerate the clean energy transition,” said Ustinov.
Cummins says when the electrolyzer system is operated using renewable electricity – such as solar, wind or hydropower – the hydrogen it produces is “green” and carbon free. Last week, Atura Power, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, announced Cummins will design and build the electrolysis system for the utility’s first green hydrogen facility in the province.
The Niagara Hydrogen Centre will be adjacent to an existing hydropower plant along the Niagara River.