HISTORY

1905-1913:

• Initial design and feasibility assessment of Stuart unipolar technology
• Novel high ampere current approach utilized electrodes with a large surface area to improve energy efficiency

1913-1924:

• Technology advancement and demonstration at field installations
• First patents granted

1924-1948:

• Ongoing technology refinement
• Start of commercial sales under license

1948 Onwards:

• Founding of The Electrolyser Corporation
• Start of in-house electrolyzer manufacturing and direct sales to customers

The Stuart unipolar technology platform was expanded for large-scale applications, with 100 MW modules.

• Initially, the focus on large-scale plants was driven by a global search for fossil fuel alternatives in response to soaring oil prices and energy insecurity in the wake of the 1974 OPEC oil embargo.
• This led to development of the EI-250 Cell System, which featured many of the core attributes of today’s RuggedCell™ water electrolyzers.
• Advancements included a new, more efficient electrode design in place of steel sheets and the utilization of electrocatalysts to improve cell energy efficiency.
• Major installations were provided to a Hydro-Québec–Air Liquide joint venture in Bécancour, Quebec (1987) and Peroxidos do Brasil Ltda. in Curitiba, Brazil (1988).

The technology focus shifted to compact mobile hydrogen production systems designed for low and medium-powered applications such as passenger vehicles.

• The shift responded to market and regulatory demands to reduce air pollution.
• 1991-1998: validated coupling of Stuart unipolar-type cells with solar power.
• In the late 1990s, the Stuart Family’s Electrolyser Corporation was rebranded as Stuart Energy Systems Corp.
• In 2003, Stuart Energy acquired a bipolar alkaline electrolyzer technology platform better suited to the small-scale applications it was targeting.
• The company subsequently merged with another hydrogen technology company, Hydrogenics.

Recognizing a new opportunity for large-scale water electrolysis in response to a global push to reduce carbon emissions, Andrew and Edward Stuart founded Hydrogen Optimized, Inc. in 2017.

• Large-scale Stuart unipolar technology was identified as the best solution for hard-to-abate major industries.
• The legacy technology was advanced to enable low-cost mass manufacturing and very high-power cell modules that can exceed 100 MW.
• 2017: Initial trials and demonstration of the new-generation RuggedCell™ system.
• 2021: Start of full-scale demonstration of the RuggedCell™ at the company’s newly opened Owen Sound facility.
• 2022: successfully demonstrated coupling RuggedCell™ with intermittent renewable power
• 2022: strategic partnership formed with ABB, which also invested in parent company Key DH Technologies Inc.
• 2023: commercial market-ready 100 kA RuggedCell™ system proven; 100 MW/year manufacturing production completed.
• With the ongoing implementation of factory automation, manufacturing capacity will reach 500 MW/year in 2024.
• Output at the Owen Sound facility will be expanded to 2 GW/year as demand grows.