Glasgow-based hydrogen startup Clyde Hydrogen Systems has launched a £5 million funding round to speed up the commercialisation of its technology, building on what the firm has called a ‘critical breakthrough’ in its decoupled electrolysis process.

In a new announcement the company said it had successfully produced hydrogen at pressures exceeding 100 bar using its scaled-up catalytic hydrogen generator, with Clyde Hydrogen claiming that the proprietary technology has the potential to unlock more efficient, high-pressure hydrogen production, possibly paving the way for widespread adoption of renewable hydrogen in the UK.

The business said it is now on track to deliver a fully integrated pilot system by late 2025, and plans to scale up to a commercial demonstrator, with the first market-ready product targeted for release by 2027.

“This technical milestone validates years of dedicated research and development. It demonstrates our ability to scale lab-based innovations into commercially viable technology,” said James Peck, CEO of Clyde Hydrogen.

The successful demonstration of the new tech was announced at the same time as the company said it is looking for £5 million in new investment.

Clyde Hydrogen said it is launching the funding round aimed at supporting the future commercialisation of hydrogen producing technology, with the funds allowing the company to refine its production process, expand its team, and develop a production-ready system by 2026.

The firm is already backed by pre-seed funding and grants, coming from investment firm Zinc, strategic angel investors, and the University of Glasgow, where it began life as a spinout company. 

The company received grants from the Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Innovation Scheme, which awarded £515,000 in March, and the Net Zero Technology Centre, with the public bodies among the first to support the development of Clyde Hydrogen’s electrolysis technology.

“With this funding round, we aim to propel Clyde Hydrogen towards delivering a production-ready system and playing a key role in the UK’s renewable energy future,” added Peck.

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The Scottish Government has made hydrogen production a key element of its strategy for hitting net-zero while also boosting the economy, having initially published a Hydrogen Policy Statement and Assessment in 2020.

This September, the Scottish Government continued to prioritise hydrogen technology, announcing up to £7 million in funding to launch green hydrogen projects across the country, as well as helping to scale up production and support the hydrogen supply chain.

Last month, the government went further, publishing its first hydrogen export plan, which outlined the actions needed to secure Scotland as a key producer of renewable hydrogen by 2030, highlighting the potential capacity the country has to become a key hydrogen producer in Europe.