NEL HYDROGEN ELECTROLYSER AS

Their core work

NEL Hydrogen Electrolyser is a Norwegian SME that designs and manufactures water electrolysers — the devices that split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. They work across both PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) and alkaline electrolyser technologies, supplying equipment for power-to-hydrogen applications, grid balancing, and energy storage. Their R&D focuses on reducing costs and eliminating critical raw materials from electrolyser components like membranes, bipolar plates, and electrodes.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

NEL's early H2020 involvement (2016-2017) centered on hydrogen infrastructure deployment — fuel cell vehicle solutions, grid balancing, and energy storage through large demonstration projects like H2ME 2. By 2020, their focus shifted decisively toward advanced electrolyser materials and manufacturing: CRM-free electrocatalysts, next-generation alkaline membranes, and high-rate electrolysis with 3-D electrodes. This reflects a move from deploying existing technology to developing the next generation of cheaper, more sustainable electrolyser components.

NEL is moving upstream into fundamental electrolyser component innovation, positioning for the cost reductions needed to make green hydrogen commercially competitive at scale.

How they like to work

NEL operates exclusively as a participant or third party — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for an industrial SME contributing specific manufacturing expertise to research-led consortia. With 82 unique partners across 16 countries, they are well-connected and comfortable in large European consortia. Their role is that of a technology provider who brings real electrolyser hardware and manufacturing know-how to complement academic and research partners.

NEL has collaborated with 82 distinct partners across 16 countries, indicating broad European reach well beyond the Nordic region. Their network spans the hydrogen value chain from materials research to vehicle deployment.

What sets them apart

NEL is one of the few European SMEs with deep manufacturing expertise in both PEM and alkaline electrolyser technologies — most companies specialize in one or the other. Based in Notodden, Norway, they bring over a century of electrolyser heritage (NEL's roots trace to Norsk Hydro's hydrogen operations). For consortium builders, they offer the rare combination of an actual electrolyser manufacturer who can validate lab-scale materials research against real production requirements.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PROMET-H2
  Directly targets the biggest barrier to green hydrogen scale-up: removing expensive critical raw materials from PEM electrolyser components.
• NEXTAEC
  Focuses on next-generation alkaline electrolyser materials including unconventional 3-D electrode architectures for high-rate electrolysis.
• H2ME 2
  One of Europe's largest hydrogen mobility demonstrations, running from 2016-2023 with a massive consortium deploying real hydrogen infrastructure.