History
The company started in 1927. In 1940, the world's largest water electrolysis plant was built in Rjukan, Norway, with a total capacity of more than 30,000 Nm3/hour of hydrogen from hydropower. In 1988, Nel launched the world's first electrolyzer to offer asbestos-free alkaline electrolysers. H2 Logic A/S, subsidiary of NEL ASA, has executed a binding technology transfer agreement with Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, Ltd. (MKK), member of the Mitsubishi Group companies, in 2015.[5] Nel will set up at least 20 hydrogen refuelling stations in Norway by 2020.[6]
Nel is currently involved in several projects worldwide, including the commissioning of the first hydrogen-powered train in Germany as part of the H2 West Coast Consortium.[7] In February 2019, it became known that a framework agreement for Switzerland had been concluded with Hyundai Motor Company for the supply of 60 - 80 MW of a total of 1,000 expected trucks in the first phase and hydrogen required for other applications. In Australia, NEL is involved in a power-to-gas (solar power to hydrogen) project.[8]
Another major project is planned in partnership with the American start-up Nikola Motor Company, a manufacturer of hydrogen-powered trucks. In the coming years, the company plans to set up or expand a hydrogen infrastructure (filling stations and electrolysers) in the United States.[9][10][11][12][13]
A cooperation agreement with Yara International was announced in August 2019. This is a fertiliser project for agriculture. NEL contributes its self-developed pressurized alkaline electrolyzer, which, with the help of electric current, produces a chemical reaction, a material conversion, which is needed for fertilizer production.[14][15]
Nel ASA subsidiary Nel Hydrogen Fueling received an order from the "Touraine Vallée de l'Indre" urban community in France in 2021 to supply an H2Station™ hydrogen refueling station. The total value of the order is approximately one million euros.[16]
Nine months after the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act the company announced plans to construct a manufacturing plant in Michigan to draw benefits from the measure and other general and state government benefits.[17]
