Charbone Hydrogen Corporation (TSX-V:CH, OTCQB:CHHYF) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ABB to collaborate on the development of up to 15 modular and scalable green hydrogen production facilities across North America over the next five years.
The company said this MoU will position ABB as the preferred supplier of modular and standard electrical substations (eHouses) for connecting production facilities to local utilities.
Under the agreement, ABB will design, engineer, fabricate, test, and supply the substations, supporting Charbone in standardizing its engineering systems to improve energy efficiency and reliability.
ABB may also act as the primary contractor for automation, electrification, and telecom solutions, depending on project needs.
The collaboration covers Charbone’s flagship Sorel-Tracy facility in Québec, which is expected to connect to the Hydro-Québec grid by the end of the second quarter.
This plant will use hydroelectric power to generate green hydrogen and serve as a model for future facilities, with the next project to be located in the greater Detroit area.
Decarbonization efforts
“This strategic collaboration with ABB is a strong and significant signal about our proposition for the North American green hydrogen market,” Charbone’s chief operating officer Daniel Charette said in a statement.
“With the Sorel-Tracy project moving quickly to on-site activities and the capabilities of plug and play modular approach to get production starting in a minimal number of weeks, Charbone will support the decarbonization of industry.”
Per Erik Holsten, ABB Energy president, emphasized the important role green hydrogen will play in the energy transition.
“We are proud to collaborate with Charbone on its strategy to develop and grow green hydrogen production facilities across North America, enabling an important sector to scale and supporting industries to outrun leaner and cleaner,” Holsten said.
In addition to the MoU, Charbone will acquire and implement ABB's Extended Operator Workplace (EOW) system across its planned facilities.
The installation of EOW systems will be the first in green hydrogen production plants in North America, according to Charbone. The EOW system will enable 24/7 monitoring from both local and remote control centers to enhance production and reduce downtime.