Cummins starts operations of first electrolyzer plant in U.S.

Accelera ™ by Cummins, the zero-emissions business segment of Cummins Inc., celebrated the start of operations for its electrolyzer production in Fridley, Minnesota, its first electrolyzer production site in the United States. 

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and other federal, state and local U.S. officials joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site, underscoring the momentum of the green hydrogen economy and importance of continued innovation in clean tech. 

“It was an honor to celebrate the opening of Accelera’s electrolyzer production line in Fridley alongside Secretary Granholm, Governor Walz and customers and partners from across the U.S. and Canada,” said Amy Davis, president of Accelera. “Large-scale electrolysis to produce green hydrogen is a key piece in the decarbonisation of transportation and industry. The electrolyzer production capacity we are adding in Fridley will help us scale zero-emissions technologies in North America to meet customer demand and advance adoption. Milestones like this, highlighted by close public-private collaboration, demonstrate our relentless dedication to accelerating the shift to net zero for the industries that keep the world running.”  

Accelera shared at the event that since the passing of the U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the business has received committed orders for nearly 300 megawatts (MW) of electrolyzer projects in North America. In total, these projects will produce approximately 150 tons of hydrogen per day once commissioned by the end of 2026. 

“It was an honor to join the team at Accelera by Cummins and Governor Walz today to celebrate a huge milestone for the company, for Minnesota, and for the country,” said Granholm. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are leading the way to a clean energy future, and it starts with clean hydrogen and the production of electrolyzers here in the United States.”    

Accelera is initially dedicating 89,000 square feet of the existing Cummins facility in Fridley to electrolyzer production, adding 100 new jobs by 2024. The facility will produce the HyLYZER® proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer product line, including the HyLYZER®-500, HyLYZER®-1000 and HyLYZER®-5000, which can accommodate power needs from 1.25 megawatts (MW) to more than 200 MW for both small- and large-scale hydrogen generation projects. The facility will have 500 MW of production capacity annually, with plans to scale up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity in the future. The new production space in Fridley adds to Accelera’s growing global electrolyzer development and manufacturing footprint.