The University of South Wales (USW) and green hydrogen energy company Protium have developed a successful partnership to drive forward the hydrogen economy in South Wales and beyond. Building on their collaboration around the Pioneer 1 electrolyser project, based at the USW Hydrogen Centre in Baglan, Wales, UK, the partnership continues to strengthen both technological innovation and the growth of the clean hydrogen business sector.
At the heart of the collaboration lies the Hydrogen Centre’s principal mission: to work with industry to develop market-ready hydrogen technologies, foster a deeper public and professional understanding of hydrogen, and stimulate clean hydrogen business opportunities.
Protium’s 100 kW Pioneer 1 electrolyser is a zero-emission green hydrogen production facility using Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) technology. It is the first of a series of planned AEM testing and development activities at the Hydrogen Centre supported by the European Horizon H2SHIFT project – developing open innovation testbeds for innovative hydrogen production technologies across Europe.
As well as testing and developing AEM electrolyser technology, Pioneer 1 serves as a practical demonstration of green hydrogen's commercial viability, supplying local applications and informing wider market strategies.
Jon Maddy, Director of USW's Hydrogen Centre, said that the partnership between USW and Protium not only enhances the development of UK hydrogen infrastructure but also contributes directly to economic growth in South Wales.
“Since its establishment in 2008, the Centre has consistently delivered on this mission through long-standing partnerships with key players in energy, manufacturing, and transport,” he commented.
“The Hydrogen Centre facility provides a unique testbed for hydrogen innovation, combining academic insight with industrial application and the highest standards of safety, demonstrating hydrogen’s role as a practical solution for decarbonisation across sectors. It has also played a role in stimulating regional economic activity, creating skilled jobs, attracting investment, and positioning the region as a key player in the emerging hydrogen economy.
“As the UK sets its sights on a net-zero future, partnerships like this will be critical in translating ambition into action – and in ensuring that South Wales continues to lead the charge in clean hydrogen innovation and deployment.”
Building on the success of Pioneer 1, Protium is significantly extending its footprint in South Wales through the development of the Pioneer 2 hydrogen facility. With an electrolyser 25 times the production capacity of Pioneer 1, this development will serve hydrogen mobility and industry, create jobs, and has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 156 000 tpy.
“The collaboration with Protium is the latest in a series of impactful initiatives that extend the USW Hydrogen Centre’s legacy of innovation, with academia and industry working together to accelerate the clean energy transition,” Jon added.
“It also highlights how targeted investment in research and demonstration facilities can deliver real-world commercial and environmental impact, and reflects the university’s broader commitment to sustainability, which brings together leading research, education, and industrial partnerships to tackle decarbonisation and support a greener, more resilient future.”
Christopher Jackson, CEO at Protium, said: “Partnering with the University of South Wales represents a significant step forward in our mission to drive the UK’s green hydrogen economy and accelerate the transition to net zero.
“By combining Protium’s commercial expertise in green hydrogen with USW’s strong research capabilities, we are building the foundation for innovative, scalable solutions that can decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and create lasting environmental and economic benefits for communities across Wales and beyond.”