Wedoany.com Report-Jun 26, SunHydrogen, Inc., based in Coralville, Iowa, has announced a significant step in advancing its photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for renewable hydrogen production using sunlight and water. The company has partnered with The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Electromechanics (UT-CEM) to install and operate a pilot hydrogen production system exceeding 30 m² at the Hydrogen ProtoHub research facility on UT Austin’s J. J. Pickle Research Campus.

The pilot plant, designed by The Process Group (TPG Engineers), features sixteen 1.92 m² PEC reactor units, totaling over 30 m² of active area. These units, arranged in a modular, scalable configuration, will operate solely on sunlight and water, marking SunHydrogen’s first large-scale, multi-panel system tested in real-world conditions. The setup will collect performance data to support the development of commercial hydrogen systems. The reactor design will also be showcased at the Hydrogen Technology Expo in Houston.

Tim Young, CEO of SunHydrogen, stated: “This collaboration represents a pivotal step in bringing SunHydrogen’s vision to life. Deploying a pilot demonstration system at the Hydrogen ProtoHub allows us to validate our technology under real-world conditions and generate the necessary data needed for commercialization. We’re proud to work with Michael Lewis and his team at UT-CEM to accelerate the path to decentralized, renewable hydrogen production.”

The Hydrogen ProtoHub, managed by UT-CEM, provides advanced infrastructure, safety systems, and skilled technical staff. SunHydrogen will collaborate with UT-CEM on system assembly, installation, commissioning, and long-term data collection for the sixteen PEC units. The partnership also supports research, workforce training, and education in sustainable hydrogen technologies.

Michael Lewis, Director of UT-CEM, said: “We are excited to host SunHydrogen’s innovative technology at our Hydrogen ProtoHub. This project contributes to the advancement of photoelectrochemical hydrogen production and aligns with our mission to support the transition to a sustainable energy future through hands-on research, industry collaboration, and education.”

Dr. Syed Mubeen, SunHydrogen’s Chief Technology Officer, stated: “This pilot takes us from lab validation to system-level testing in real-world conditions. With >30 m² of active PEC area, we will generate critical performance data to guide commercial design. Working with UT-CEM ensures we execute this scale-up with precision, safety, and engineering rigor.”

The system will operate for six months under UT-CEM’s oversight following commissioning in 2025, providing valuable data to refine SunHydrogen’s technology and support broader strategies for sustainable hydrogen production.