The WCROC project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) and other partners, including RTI International (RTI). It will incorporate technologies from Casale, RTI, and UMN to demonstrate the production of ammonia from renewable energy, targeting emerging energy markets and existing agricultural markets.
Next Hydrogen will supply its latest third-generation alkaline water electrolyzers, which feature improvements in energy efficiency, current density, and operating pressure. According to the company, these electrolyzers offer complete and responsive renewable energy load-following capability, which is essential for producing hydrogen from intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar. The system is scheduled to be operational in 2025.
The project team also includes Nutrien, GE, Nel Hydrogen, Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, Runestone Electric Association, Chemtronergy, Texas Tech University, Pacifica, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), and Shell.
