SIQENS, founded 2012 in Munich, is a leading provider of methanol fuel cells and technology for electrochemical hydrogen separation (EHS). The company’s methanol fuel cell product line (Ecoport) supplies clean energy in remote areas or backup power to critical applications. Built on its patented high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (HT-PEM) technology portfolio for power generation, SIQENS offers solutions to separate and purify hydrogen at the point of use from different feed gases – such as hydrogen-blends in natural gas pipelines or reformate gases from methanol or biogas. The SIQENS technology portfolio addresses the challenge of last-mile hydrogen distribution: driving the decarbonization of power generation, transportation, and industry by reducing the cost of hydrogen delivery.
Interview with Hanno Langfelder, Marketing at SIQENS.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Hanno Langfelder: Power Generation – SIQENS Ecoport 800 / 1500
Siqens provides off-grid power generation through its innovative methanol fuel cell modules using a reformer and high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane. Currently, there are two performance classes: Ecoport 800 with up to 800 watts peak power and the Ecoport 1500 with up to 1500 watts peak electrical output.
The use of methanol has key advantages for Siqens. Containing four hydrogen, one carbon, and one oxygen atom, methanol (H3COH) is the simplest organic alcohol. High energy density and easy production from renewable energy sources or biomass make methanol an interesting fuel for future energy systems. Methanol is liquid at room temperature and can be transported and stored in tanks, canisters or barrels. In addition, it has a low freezing point of – 97°C, making methanol fuel cells suitable for use in cold ambient temperatures. Methanol is an important feedstock for the chemical industry and is used, for instance, as a solvent. Due to its versatility, methanol is traded globally. In Europe, the net price for methanol – supplied in an IBC – is around €0.50 per liter. Methanol has a high proportion of chemically bonded hydrogen and is characterized by its high energy density. To put this into perspective: 10 liters of methanol contain approximately 1 kilogram of hydrogen. A 25 liter canister consequently contains the same amount as 2 pressurized gas cylinders with gaseous hydrogen at 200 bar.
Electrochemical hydrogen separation (EHS)
EHS is the separation and processing of pure hydrogen from hydrogen-containing gas streams in industrial processes, landfill sites, agricultural processes and gas processes. The EHS system is based on the same stack technology as the power generating Ecoports. See below for more info.
What’s the news about new products/services?
H.L: The hydrogen economy currently uses several processes to produce hydrogen. Steam methane reforming (SMR) is currently the most widespread. Around 98% of hydrogen is currently produced using the SMR process. However, the production of this so-called “grey” hydrogen produces CO2, which can be separated using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. Then the “grey” becomes a “blue” hydrogen. To produce 1 kg of hydrogen, which contains 33 kWh of energy, the SMR process requires an energy expenditure of around 12-17 kWh.
“Green” hydrogen, on the other hand, is created through electrolysis, provided the electricity used was generated from renewable energies. However, the energetic balance of the process is sobering. Around 50 kWh are required to produce 1 kg of hydrogen using an electrolyser, i.e. 50% more than is ultimately contained in the hydrogen. In addition, electrolysis has been on the market for a long time – its technical efficiency is therefore considered to be exhausted in expert circles.
Siqens` electrochemical hydrogen separation technology (EHS) offers an economical method for attaining hydrogen. This is an innovative approach to a prevalent problem for the hydrogen economy. How to economically and environmentally handle gas mixes. The EHS enables the local generation of fuel cell quality hydrogen as well as cleaning feed gases such as helium. The EHS process allows hydrogen to be extracted from natural reservoirs. Depending on the volume of hydrogen concentration in the feed gas, the energy requirement to produce 1 kilogram of hydrogen with EHS is only 3-5 kWh, i.e. around a tenth of the energy content of hydrogen. The EHS process reduces the energy requirement by around 90% per kilogram of hydrogen compared to electrolysis. This makes the extraction economically viable and increases the return on investment, especially as the price of hydrogen will increase with more adoption. Together with a reformer connected upstream, the EHS can separate the initially molecularly bound hydrogen from feed gases such as biomethane. Electrochemical hydrogen separation is the answer to the central challenges of a cost-effective hydrogen infrastructure, such as decentralized hydrogen production or the development of unused hydrogen resources.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
H.L: The off-grid and critical infrastructure power market is experiencing robust growth driven by technological advancements, declining costs, and increasing demand for reliable energy access.
This expansion is facilitated by rising adoption in regions with limited grid infrastructure, such as remote communities and conflict-affected areas. The key drivers for this development are technological innovation such as improved efficiency, battery storage integration, and remote monitoring capabilities have enhanced system reliability and cost-effectiveness. In addition, the costs are falling continuously. The price of system components has been declining for years leading to easier access, particularly for small businesses and households. Policy support has played a strong role in supporting innovation and deployment.
Critical infrastructure power demand is being driven by rising need for uninterrupted power in data centers, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Renewable energy integration means that solar and wind adoption necessitates backup solutions for uninterrupted power supply. Extreme weather and aging infrastructure have increased power outages and aging grids are driven investments. Finally, technological advancements have improved battery storage, microgrids, and modular systems.
What can you tell us about market trends?
H.L: The fuel cell market is growing based on renewable energy adoption and technological advancements. Challenges, such as high costs and infrastructure gaps, remain. The market is projected to grow from $ 3.25 billion (2024) to $19.55 billion by 2037. Other reports estimate growth of 11.36%–17.22% through 2033, reaching $905.3 million–$12.64 million. The differences depend on varying methodologies and definitions. The Asia-Pacific markets dominates due to clean energy focus. The European market has a focus on hydrogen infrastructure whereas North America is focussed on portable and residential applications.
Market trends are driven by these key indicators; shift to renewable energy with the rising demand for clean energy solutions and methanol’s advantages (ease of storage, lower emissions). Demand for portable power due to growth in consumer electronics, medical devices, and military tech. Challenges remain. They focus around high costs, mainly high production and material costs. Lack of fuelling infrastructure and currency volatility which affects affordability in emerging markets.
Technological and application trends point towards hybrid systems, in particular with solar and wind as well as with rechargeable batteries. Stationary power system focus on the need for reliability in backup and off-grid scenarios. Finally, material innovation facilitates advances in catalysts and membranes to improve efficiency.
What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2025?
H.L: For Siqens, the beginning of 2025 brings further consolidation in the core markets for off-grid backup power generation as well as expanding our EHS projects with new and existing partners. Strong partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region will increase sales figures. Siqens continues to streamline the production process as well as enhancing the technology by understanding system behaviour, comprehensive system testing and evaluation of system data. This leads to continuous system improvements and cost reduction.