Aternium targets 2027 off-site construction of hydrogen, heavy-water systems

Aternium aims to begin off-site construction of the first of its modular hydrogen and heavy water production systems in early 2027, after completing early engineering studies on its 60MW US hydrogen and heavy water projects.

The units will be integrated into the developer’s 60MW project in Dover, Delaware, which is due to complete front-end engineering design (FEED) in a similar timeframe and come online in 2028.

The update came as the firm completed pre-FEED studies which have involved as owner’s engineer and engineering design partners and .

Off-site construction of the project’s central technology could accelerate timelines by allowing site preparations to be carried out simultaneously, it said.

Aternium previously revealed to H2 View the facility’s planned 24 tonne per day clean hydrogen and 15 tonne per year deuterium capacity.

With plans to break ground in early 2027, the project could be eligible for the US’ 45V clean hydrogen production tax credits of up to $3 per kilogramme.

Deuterium, also known as heavy water, occurs naturally in trace amounts and is also left behind in electrolysed water. It has applications in advanced technologies including semiconductor manufacturing, fibre-optic production, and pharmaceutical development, as well as future uses in nuclear fusion.

earlier in the year, Aternium CEO, Andrew Cottone, said deuterium could fetch between $1,000 and $2,000 per kilogramme depending on puity.

However, he said hydrogen sales would help underpin the project, adding that a standalone heavy water project “wouldn’t work economically.”