On-site hydrogen: what’s the big deal?

 

For years, one of the issues with hydrogen has been that it is manufactured at one facility – sometimes as a byproduct – then taken elsewhere.

But what if the hydrogen could be made on-site? It would cut down on costs and make the process simpler. On this episode of Purple Is the New Green, David Wolff, Nel Hydrogen’s Region Manager for the Eastern U.S. and Canada, said that scenario already is a reality.

“We have 18 Nel hydrogen generators deployed that were sold to a Ford engine assembly plant in Canada. This is at a massive Ford engine building plant,” he said. “These 18 hydrogen generators are serving to supply hydrogen for plasma spray of a cast iron-like lining on the inner cylinder bore of aluminum engine blocks.”

Those engines go in the Ford EcoBoost engine used in the F-150, North America’s best-selling vehicle family. “We’re very proud of that use of our hydrogen generators,” Wolff said.

It’s a great example of creating the hydrogen on-site when needed rather than having to deal with the drawbacks that can come with transportation. Yet, Wolff said too few people understand that having on-site hydrogen is an option.

“One of the challenges for … Nel over the years in the industrial world has been making people aware that on-site hydrogen was an alternative,” he said, comparing it to people getting milk delivered by a milkman. “You had to make people aware there were other ways to get your milk.

“In this case, it’s even better, because you can get your hydrogen and you can make it yourself.”

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Emergency department
How Predictive AI Is Helping Hospitals Anticipate Admissions and Optimize Emergency Department Throughput
December 24, 2025

Emergency departments across the U.S. are under unprecedented strain, with overcrowding, staffing shortages, and inpatient bed constraints converging into a throughput crisis. The American Hospital Association reports that hospital capacity and workforce growth have lagged, intensifying delays from arrival to disposition. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence are moving from experimental to operational—raising…

Read More
Mission
Why Is the Mission of Benchmark So Important
December 23, 2025

As pharmaceutical innovation accelerates, the margin for error narrows, making quality assurance not just a regulatory necessity but a public good. Benchmark’s mission sits at the intersection of progress and protection—helping manufacturers stay aligned with FDA standards so life-saving therapies reach patients faster and safer. By keeping cleanrooms compliant and companies out of trouble, Benchmark…

Read More
Benchmark
What Is It Like for You to Be Part of the Benchmark Products Teams Now
December 23, 2025

Being part of the Benchmark Products team today means working at the intersection of precision manufacturing and deeply human collaboration, especially in the high-stakes world of cleanroom and sterility assurance solutions. As the organization grows, employees describe a culture that still feels familial—one where clear communication, personal accountability, and genuine care for customers drive…

Read More
Cleaning
Do Your Friends Ever Ask You For Cleaning Tips
December 23, 2025

In a media landscape increasingly shaped by privacy constraints, data clean rooms have emerged as a quiet but powerful way for brands to collaborate without exposing sensitive information, even if, as Will Sepsis quips, some partners would still prefer that “ignorance is bliss.” That tension—between curiosity and caution—captures the moment we’re in, where understanding…

Read More