Shell partners with Supercritical Solutions to pilot ultra-efficient high-pressure hydrogen electrolyzers, targeting cost reduction and industrial decarbonization.
Supercritical Solutions Ltd, a London-based renewable hydrogen technology company, has entered into a non-exclusive collaboration agreement with Shell Global Solutions International B.V. The partnership aims to advance Supercritical’s technology from an advanced out-of-laboratory prototype toward a pilot demonstration in real-world operational conditions. This agreement formalizes a paid technology feasibility study, which will focus on evaluating and planning a pilot-scale demonstration. Key components of this study include performance data analysis, process safety assessments, and a comprehensive techno-economic evaluation to assess commercial viability.
This collaboration builds upon a long-standing relationship between the two companies that began in 2021 through Shell’s New Energy Challenge. This initiative supports startups and scaleups developing innovative technologies that promote sustainability and help shape the future of the energy sector. The partnership was further strengthened in 2024 when Shell Ventures participated in Supercritical Solutions’ £14 million first venture capital financing round, co-led alongside Toyota Ventures, signaling confidence in the potential of the company’s proprietary hydrogen technology.
Supercritical Solutions has developed a patented electrolyzer technology that addresses several limitations found in conventional systems. The technology targets high system efficiency and can deliver hydrogen at pressures up to 220 bar without relying on hydrogen compressors. By operating at elevated pressures and temperatures, the system achieves greater efficiency while eliminating dependence on rare-earth materials or membranes, which are prone to degradation and supply chain risks. The design is intended to reduce the cost of renewable hydrogen, enabling its wider adoption as a feedstock for chemicals, fertilizers, and hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy-duty transport.
Luke Tan, co-founder of Supercritical Solutions, described the collaboration as “a major milestone on our commercialisation journey.” He emphasized that the technology directly addresses the cost and complexity barriers currently hindering the renewable hydrogen market. Tan further highlighted that partnering with Shell, a company with proven global leadership in scaling innovative energy solutions, would accelerate the deployment of their high-efficiency electrolyzer.
Supercritical’s technology is particularly suited to industrial hydrogen markets where high delivery pressures are essential. In 2024, global hydrogen demand approached 100 million tonnes, with around 90% consumed at elevated pressures in applications including ammonia production, methanol synthesis, and refining processes. As governments and industries increasingly pursue decarbonization, supported by frameworks such as the EU’s RED III directive and national Net Zero commitments, the need for cost-effective, low-carbon hydrogen solutions is expected to grow rapidly. Supercritical Solutions’ innovative approach positions the company and its partners to meet this rising demand while helping accelerate the transition to a more sustainable industrial energy landscape.
