Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) announced today that it has invested in Advanced Ionics, Inc., a high efficiency, low-temperature water vapor electrolysis technology startup company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The investment has been executed through Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. (MHIA), which joins a consortium of investors, including bp. Ventures (bp), Clean Energy Ventures (CEV) and others.
Advanced Ionics is developing a water vapor electrolyzer that utilizes low-temperature water vapor (from 100degC) to produce hydrogen with more than 30% less power consumption than typical water electrolyzers. Since the low-temperature water vapor used can be produced using available industrial heat, it is expected to be used as a highly efficient, locally produced, and locally consumed decarbonization solution in steel, ammonia production, oil refineries, and other plants that have available industrial heat and use hydrogen. It also has the potential for future application in highly efficient hydrogen production using heat and power from nuclear, geothermal and solar thermal power plants.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group is committed to building a business that contributes to realizing a decarbonized society while investing in and collaborating with various partners with innovative technologies. This investment will help Advanced Ionics to accelerate the demonstration for commercialization and accelerate' the development of future innovative alternative technologies that will lead to the diversification of the hydrogen value chain. Going forward, MHI will continue to enhance and diversify its solutions portfolio, providing its customers with alternative decarbonization technologies to reach their net zero goals.