Sunhydrogen to deploy hydrogen production pilot system in collaboration with UT-CEM

In a new strategic collaboration, SunHydrogen will partner with The University of Texas at Austin – Center for Electromechanics (UT-CEM) to install, commission, and operate a more than 30 m² proof-of-concept hydrogen production system at UT-CEM’s Hydrogen ProtoHub research facility, Texas, US.

In a recent release, SunHydrogen announced the execution of a contract with The Process Group (TPG Engineers) for the front-end engineering design (FEED) of this pilot plant. The pilot plant will feature sixteen 1.92 m² photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactor units – each the same basic unit to be showcased at the Hydrogen Technology Expo in Houston, Texas, – totalling more than 30 m² of active area.

The reactor units will be installed across multiple panels in a modular, scalable configuration, representing the company’s first large scale, multi-panel hydrogen production system operating under real-world conditions. Designed to operate entirely on sunlight and water, the more than 30 m² array will enable comprehensive performance validation and data collection to support commercial system development.

“This collaboration represents a pivotal step in bringing SunHydrogen’s vision to life,” said SunHydrogen CEO Tim Young. “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 commercialisation. We are proud to work with Michael Lewis and his team at UT-CEM to accelerate the path to decentralised, renewable hydrogen production.”

Located on UT Austin’s J. J. Pickle Research Campus, the Hydrogen ProtoHub is a purpose-built facility designed to be a proving ground for hydrogen technologies. Operated by UT-CEM, the site offers advanced infrastructure, safety systems, and experienced technical personnel. SunHydrogen will work closely with UT-CEM on the system assembly, installation, commissioning, and long-term data acquisition of the sixteen PEC reactor units. This collaboration also contributes to broader research, workforce training, and education in sustainable hydrogen technologies.

Michael Lewis, Director of the Center for Electromechanics at University of Texas, Austin, stated: “We are excited to host SunHydrogen’s 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, the Chief Technology Officer of SunHydrogen, added: “This pilot takes us from lab validation to system-level testing in real-world conditions. With more than 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 rigour.”

Following commissioning, the system will operate for six months under UT-CEM oversight. The demonstration will generate valuable insights to support both technology development and broader hydrogen deployment strategies.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/25062025/sunhydrogen-to-deploy-hydrogen-production-pilot-system-in-collaboration-with-ut-cem/