FPL announces Accelera to supply electrolyzers for Florida's first "green" hydrogen plant - potential key to carbon-free electricity

*This press release was originally distributed as Cummins Inc. As of March 8, 2023, Accelera™ by Cummins is the new brand for Cummins’ New Power business segment.

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today announced Accelera will supply a 25-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer system for the groundbreaking FPL Cavendish NextGen Hydrogen Hub – Florida’s first-of-its-kind “green” hydrogen plant – which could lay the groundwork for a 100% carbon-free energy future. 

“At FPL, we are always looking over the horizon and focused on making smart, long-term investments to build a more modern, stronger and cleaner energy grid that future generations can depend on,” said Eric Silagy, FPL President and CEO. “Since building our first solar energy center in 2009, FPL has constructed 50 solar energy centers, commissioned the world’s largest solar-powered battery and embarked on innovative pilot programs to advance microgrid technology and electric vehicle (EV) charging while eliminating coal from our fleet in Florida. Now, we are helping usher in the next era of Florida’s clean energy future with a 'green' hydrogen pilot project that could be key to unlocking 100% carbon-free electricity.” 
 

The FPL Cavendish NextGen Hydrogen Hub will leverage solar energy to power the electrolysis process that produces “green,” or carbon-free, hydrogen from water. Once produced, the “green” hydrogen will be blended with natural gas and used to power an existing combustion turbine at the co-located FPL Okeechobee Clean Energy Center – creating cleaner energy that will help power FPL customers across the grid. The system will be composed of five Accelera HyLYZER®-1000 PEM electrolyzers for a total of 25 MW – or 10.8 tons of hydrogen produced per day. 

“This project is exciting for [Accelera by] Cummins as we establish green hydrogen as a viable way to decarbonize the economy here in the United States,” said Amy Davis, Vice President and President of Accelera. “An electrolyzer installation of this magnitude further solidifies PEM technology as a key to reaching zero emissions in energy-intensive industries. FPL’s commitment to the acceleration of the energy transition and support of future demand for affordable renewables is one we passionately share.” 

FPL’s rapid clean energy expansion in Florida

FPL is executing on its “green” hydrogen pilot alongside the largest solar expansion in America. The company is now over 50% of the way toward completing its “30-by-30" goal of installing 30 million solar panels – a goal now expected to come five years earlier in 2025. Last year, the company also commissioned the world’s largest solar-powered battery located in Manatee County, in addition to closing and dismantling the company’s last coal plant in Florida.

Accelerating hydrogen innovation  

Accelera has a long history of advanced technology and engineering capabilities and has a broad portfolio of market-leading renewable hydrogen technologies. Accelera has more than 600 active electrolyzers across the globe and has deployed more than 2,000 hydrogen fuel cells. Accelera technology has been part of many of the world’s hydrogen “firsts,” including powering the world’s largest PEM electrolyzer in operation at 20 MW in Bécancour, Canada; the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train, operating across Europe; the world’s first hydrogen refueling station for ships, cars, trucks and industrial customers in Antwerp, Belgium; and being selected to power the largest PEM electrolysis plant in the U.S.