Norelco’s product innovation is a ready-to-use power distribution unit for electrolysis in hydrogen production

Finnish company Norelco has participated in developing new technologies and solutions for hydrogen production plants. Together with MSc Electronics, the company has automated the power distribution system for the plant’s electrolyser and packed it in a single modular process container that can be smoothly installed on-site. The solution, which is tailored to each application, has a global market. 

Norelco participated, together with its co-operation partner MSc Electronics, in a product development project led by a supplier of electrolysis systems. The objective was to develop the electrolysis process and automation of hydrogen production plants. 

“The project aimed, among other things, to come up with a concept that would enable packing the electrolyser’s power generation system into an automatic and cost-effective unit that is as complete as possible. At the same time, to goal was to create a solution that would make it simpler and faster to install the whole power distribution system on-site,” says Ari Hämäläinen, Norelco’s Managing Director. 

Hämäläinen was Norelco’s project manager in the development project.

“The power distribution unit developed jointly by Norelco and MSc Electronics contains all the necessary equipment to convert the medium-voltage three-phase alternating current from the mains into direct current for the electrolysis cells. The equipment is packed into one NorUnit process container. Each unit can be equipped for up to several megawatts for the electrolysis equipment manufacturers and P2X integrators,” Hämäläinen continues.

The modular power distribution system required by the electrolyser is built into a process container

The production of hydrogen is based on an emission-free process where hydrogen is separated from water through electrolysis using renewable electricity. The power distribution unit developed jointly by Norelco and MSc Electronics monitors and controls the entire electrolysis process. 

NorUnit is a modular power distribution unit designed for control and monitoring of electrolysers. It contains the power distribution system for the process, AC/DC converters, a bus-based automation solution and the HVAC and cooling equipment required by the unit. It is suitable for various types of electrolysis processes, whether AEL, PEM or SOEC technologies.

Electrolysis system design made simple – for maximum performance 

The development project resulted in a solution where, unlike previous solutions, the AC/DC converters can be optimised for the process.

“In practice, this means that the electrolysis system as a whole can first be designed so as to ensure that the process is optimised. Once this has been done, the converters and power distribution are specifically designed for that process. Unlike before, there is no longer a need to design the process based on available equipment,” Hämäläinen stresses. 

Designing the converters, the switchgear and the entire power distribution unit simultaneously results in an industrially manufactured, efficient unit that has already been tested and is ready to be connected to the rest of the electrolysis equipment on-site.

Packing density reduces costs

Mechanically, the converters are designed to fit inside Norelco’s switchgear. This provides a very high packing density, which reduces production costs.

The high packing density initially caused issues with heat buildup. However, the problem was solved during the development project by designing the converters and containers with a new kind of cooling system that combines the positive sides of liquid and air cooling.

Automated monitoring and control 

The NorUnit power distribution unit is controlled and monitored efficiently using advanced automation. The container’s multiple monitoring methods are used to monitor, for example, temperature, water leaks and electric variables.

Hämäläinen compares the technology to Formula One cars: the production plant has continuous access to real-time data which helps manage and improve the system’s functionality and productivity during use.

More information: Juha Katainen, Sales Director, tel. +358 50 525 5100 or juha.katainen@norelco.fi

Norelco Oy 

Norelco is a leading Finnish manufacturer of electric distribution systems, founded in 1962. We design and manufacture systems for the energy sector as well as for the needs of industry, renewable energy, infrastructure and construction. We employ more than 250 people.

MSc Electronics Oy

MSc Electronics Oy (MSc), a company founded in 1985, specialises in developing, manufacturing and selling converters. MSc has manufactured roughly 17,000 converters, which have been delivered all over the world. Approximately 4,500 converters manufactured by MSc have been installed in Finnish rail vehicles. MSc employs around 20 engineers, most of whom are specialised in the field. The company’s operations are located in Tampere.