In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, EVOLOH, an electrochemical stack manufacturing company, has developed a new approach to electrolyzer production. Supported by over $30 million in investment from Breakthrough Energy and 3M, EVOLOH uses locally sourced, earth-abundant materials — avoiding the use of costly and often dangerous rare earth minerals that dominate current technologies.
Catalyzing innovation at the Testbeds
EVOLOH began working at the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds after an ARPA-E program manager introduced EVOLOH CEO Dr. Jimmy Rojas to the facility. This introduction marked the start of a pivotal collaboration aimed at scaling up EVOLOH’s innovative electrode technology from benchtop experiments to industrial-scale production using advanced roll-to-roll processes.
“The Testbeds, equipped with cutting-edge additive manufacturing tools and expert staff, were the perfect ecosystem for EVOLOH to pursue this ambitious project,” says Rojas.
Achievements and milestones
Under the guidance of the Testbeds’ seasoned engineers, EVOLOH successfully transitioned its technology from a laboratory concept to a functional, scaled prototype, setting the stage for further advancement to full-scale deployed system. The collaboration has been instrumental in refining the electrode manufacturing process, leading to the production of hundreds of meters of high-quality electrodes. These electrodes are now key components in EVOLOH’s electrolyzer stacks, exhibiting the longest durability and highest electrochemical efficiencies ever reported in the industry.
Overcoming technical barriers
The path to innovation faced a few technical challenges, particularly in mastering high-speed slot die coating—a process crucial for achieving uniform coating at industrial production speeds. Leveraging the Testbeds’ pilot-commercial scale coating facilities and the deep practical knowledge of their engineers, EVOLOH was able to overcome hurdles related to coating thickness and uniformity, essential for the commercial viability of their products.
The future is bright
EVOLOH is preparing to launch a groundbreaking one megawatt (1MW) anion-exchange membrane electrolyzer stack, set to be the largest of its kind and entirely manufactured in the United States. This project underscores the critical role of the Testbeds in supporting not just EVOLOH’s growth, but also their contribution to the global shift towards clean energy.
Partnering to power growth
Reflecting on the collaboration, Dr. Rojas highlights the Testbeds’ integral role in their successful Series A raise. “The expertise and resources at the Testbeds were vital in our Series A funding round, significantly impacting our ability to innovate and scale,” he said. “We are immensely grateful for the Testbeds’ support and excited about our continued partnership.”
Join the revolution
EVOLOH’s success story is a testament to the transformative impact of the Testbeds on climate technologies. We invite other innovators and companies to explore how the Testbeds can help turn visionary ideas into market-ready solutions, driving forward the clean energy revolution.
Connect with Testbeds staff: wcet@uw.edu