Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Top 10 Projects & Companies in 2025 and 2024

The Silent Revolution: How Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Technology is Powering the Green Hydrogen Future

High in the Himalayas, in the thin, cold air of Leh, a quiet revolution is underway. Five new buses navigate the winding mountain roads, their only emission being pure water vapor. This isn’t a scene from a science fiction novel; it’s the reality of India’s first commercial deployment of hydrogen fuel cell buses. This remarkable feat, operating at over 11,500 feet, is made possible by an elegant and powerful technology: the Proton Exchange Membrane, or PEM. This core component, acting as the heart of both the fuel cells that power these buses and the electrolyzers that create their green hydrogen fuel, is quietly emerging as a cornerstone of the global energy transition. The story of Leh’s buses is not an isolated event but a powerful symbol of a worldwide surge in PEM technology, moving from research labs to large-scale, real-world applications that are reshaping transportation, industry, and our energy future.

Recent PEM Technology Installations and Developments

The momentum behind PEM technology is evident in a wave of recent projects and partnerships across the globe. From industrial-scale hydrogen production to advanced mobility solutions, these installations highlight a technology that is rapidly scaling to meet commercial demand.

1. NTPC Deploys Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses in Leh

Company: NTPC
Installation Capacity: 5 hydrogen fuel cell buses
Applications: Public transportation in Leh, marking India’s first commercial deployment of hydrogen fuel cell buses at high altitude.
Source: NTPC hands over five hydrogen fuel cell buses to Leh Administration

2. Plug Secures 25 MW PEM Electrolyzer Deal for European Customer

Company: Plug Power
Installation Capacity: 25 MW PEM electrolyzer, potential expansion to 2 GW
Applications: Green hydrogen production for a major European customer.
Source: Plug Secures 25 MW PEM Electrolyzer Deal for Major European Customer

3. Ohmium and Res Integra Deploy 4 MW Electrolyzers

Company: Ohmium International Inc and Res Integra
Installation Capacity: 4 MW electrolyzers.
Applications: Not specified.
Source: Top 15 Hydrogen Electrolyzer Manufacturers (By Capacity) | 2025

4. Advait Group Commissions Green Hydrogen Production Plant

Company: Advait Group
Installation Capacity: 300 kW Green Hydrogen Production Plant with a 70 kWh PEM Fuel Cell
Applications: Green Hydrogen Production
Source: Hydrogen Electrolyser Manufacturer

5. Siemens Energy & EWE (Germany) Major Project

Company: Siemens Energy, EWE
Installation Capacity: 280 MW PEM plant
Applications: Not specified
Source: Powering the Future: Latest Breakthroughs in PEM Electrolyzers for …

6. Ballard and ABB Collaboration

Company: Ballard, ABB
Installation Capacity: megawatt (MW)
Applications: The companies are working on collaboration activities toward the development of megawatt (MW)
Source: Our Company – Ballard Power Systems

7. Gladstone PEM Project

Company: Gladstone
Installation Capacity: 30 MW electrolyser
Applications: The project is expected to operate 30 MW electrolyser by 2025 in its first phase and increase its capacity.
Source: [PDF] APERC HYDROGEN REPORT 2024

8. Momentum Materials Showcases PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst

Company: Momentum Materials
Installation Capacity: 1 million tons
Applications: ammonia production facility in Edmonton
Source: Momentum Materials Showcases PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst …

9. Siemens Energy & Air Liquide (Berlin)

Company: Siemens Energy, Air Liquide
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Manufacturing
Source: Powering the Future: Latest Breakthroughs in PEM Electrolyzers for …

10. TECO 2030’s Fuel Cell System

Company: TECO 2030
Installation Capacity: 400 kWs
Applications: Providing zero-emission hydrogen-electric power
Source: TECO 2030’s fuel cell system achieves full power output by using …

Table: Recent PEM Technology Deployments and Developments

From High-Altitude Buses to Industrial Powerhouses: PEM’s Versatility on Display

The diversity of applications reveals a technology that is no longer confined to a single niche. PEM technology is demonstrating its value across the entire hydrogen value chain. We see its application in both mobility and stationary power, showcasing its adaptability. Projects like NTPC’s buses in Leh and TECO 2030’s 400 kW system highlight PEM fuel cells’ role in decarbonizing transportation and providing clean power in demanding settings. Simultaneously, massive electrolyzer deployments like the 280 MW Siemens/EWE plant and Plug Power’s 25 MW deal signal a definitive shift towards producing green hydrogen at an industrial scale. This dual-front advancement is critical; it shows that the market is simultaneously building out supply (electrolyzers) and stimulating demand (fuel cells). The inclusion of projects focused on the supply chain itself, such as the Siemens/Air Liquide manufacturing facility and Momentum Materials’ catalyst for ammonia synthesis, indicates a maturing ecosystem building the foundational layers for exponential growth.

A Global Race for PEM Dominance: Who’s Leading the Charge?

The geographic distribution of these projects paints a clear picture of a global, albeit uneven, adoption race. Europe is asserting itself as a dominant force, driven by ambitious decarbonization targets. Germany’s 280 MW Siemens/EWE project and the Siemens/Air Liquide manufacturing plant in Berlin, coupled with Plug Power’s major deal for a European customer, underscore the continent’s strategic focus on building a large-scale, domestic green hydrogen economy. However, Asia is rapidly emerging as a key player. India’s deployment of buses in Leh is more than symbolic; it’s a strategic move to master the technology in extreme conditions, while Advait Group’s plant signals a growing domestic manufacturing capability. Elsewhere, Australia’s Gladstone project and the activities of North American companies like Plug Power, Ballard, and Momentum Materials confirm that the push for PEM leadership is a truly global phenomenon. The differing strategies—Europe’s industrial-scale focus versus India’s high-visibility public transport projects—suggest regions are tailoring their hydrogen roadmaps to their specific economic and political contexts.

From Test Bench to Megawatt Scale: PEM Technology Comes of Age

These installations collectively signal that PEM technology has crossed a critical threshold in maturity. We are witnessing a clear transition from pilot programs to commercially viable, large-scale infrastructure. The language used in these announcements—NTPC’s “commercial deployment,” Plug Power’s multi-megawatt deal with a “major customer,” and the sheer scale of the 280 MW Siemens/EWE plant—points to bankable, reliable technology. The spectrum of capacity is telling: it ranges from sub-megawatt systems like Advait’s (300 kW) and TECO’s (400 kW), suitable for decentralized power, to the multi-megawatt projects from Plug (25 MW) and Gladstone (30 MW), all the way to the hundreds of megawatts planned by Siemens. This scalability is a hallmark of a mature technology. Furthermore, the parallel progress in core components, seen in the Ballard/ABB collaboration and Momentum’s catalyst development, shows that the innovation cycle is robust, ensuring continuous improvement even as large-scale deployment accelerates.

The PEM-Powered Future: What’s Next on the Horizon?

The evidence is clear: Proton Exchange Membrane technology is a critical enabler of the burgeoning green hydrogen economy. The recent slate of global installations demonstrates that it is versatile, increasingly cost-effective, and ready for deployment at a significant scale. Looking forward, these projects signal several key trends. Firstly, the march towards gigawatt-scale production is undeniable; Plug Power’s potential 2 GW expansion is a powerful indicator of where the industry is headed. Secondly, we can expect to see a tighter integration of the hydrogen value chain, with localized green hydrogen production directly feeding industrial clusters, transport fleets, and power grids. Finally, the focus on building out a robust manufacturing base, from electrolyzer gigafactories to advanced catalyst production, is laying the groundwork for a sustainable, long-term market. The silent revolution that began with a membrane in a lab is now echoing in the mountains of Leh and across the industrial heartlands of the world, heralding a cleaner energy future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PEM technology and why is it important for the green hydrogen future?
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology is the core component in both hydrogen fuel cells and green hydrogen electrolyzers. It’s crucial because it enables two key functions: creating clean electricity from hydrogen in fuel cells (powering vehicles like buses whose only emission is water vapor) and using renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen from water in electrolyzers. This dual role makes it a cornerstone technology for both producing and using green hydrogen.

What are some real-world examples of PEM technology being used today?
The article highlights several major deployments. In transportation, NTPC is running five hydrogen fuel cell buses in the high-altitude environment of Leh, India. For large-scale green hydrogen production, Plug Power has secured a 25 MW PEM electrolyzer deal in Europe, and Siemens Energy is developing a massive 280 MW PEM plant in Germany. These examples show PEM is being used for both mobility and industrial-scale fuel production.

Are these PEM projects just small tests, or are they commercial-scale?
The recent projects indicate a clear shift from small pilot programs to large, commercial-scale infrastructure. While there are smaller systems like Advait Group’s 300 kW plant, many are multi-megawatt industrial projects. For instance, the Siemens/EWE plant is 280 MW, and Plug Power’s deal has the potential to expand to 2 GW. The article notes this shows the technology is now considered bankable, reliable, and has crossed a critical threshold in maturity.

Which regions are leading the way in PEM technology adoption?
Europe is presented as a dominant force, with Germany hosting large-scale industrial projects like the 280 MW Siemens/EWE plant. However, Asia is a rapidly emerging player, highlighted by India’s strategic deployment of buses in extreme conditions. North American companies like Plug Power and Ballard, along with Australia’s Gladstone project, confirm that the push for PEM leadership is a global race, with different regions tailoring strategies to their specific contexts.

The article mentions both electrolyzers and fuel cells. How do these work together?
They represent the supply and demand sides of the hydrogen economy, both powered by PEM technology. PEM electrolyzers (like the large plants from Siemens and Plug Power) use electricity to produce the green hydrogen fuel. PEM fuel cells (like those in the NTPC buses or TECO 2030’s power system) then use that hydrogen to generate electricity cleanly. The simultaneous growth in both areas is critical because it shows the market is building out the entire value chain needed for a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem.