WHS26 From Start Up to Emergency Shut Down Precision Pressure Control Electrolyzers

On May 20, PCS' Armand Bergsma presented at the H2 Tech Innovation Stage how PCS helps engineers to improve pressure balance in electrolyzer stacks. Why is this relevant? Electrolyzer (re-)design is more and more focused on dynamic operation. Frequent and rapid load changes, inherent in renewable power, require electrolyzers to respond quickly and dynamically, while maintaining stability, safety margins, and measurement integrity. Armand's presentation contains a component-level approach to fast dynamic closed-loop control of process pressure and differential pressure (ΔP), using a dome-loaded back pressure regulator piloted by a dedicated electronic pressure controller. He explains an architecture that combines precise pilot-pressure actuation with high-speed acquisition of external sensor signals (process pressure and/or ΔP) to close the control loop on the controlled variable. Continuously adapting pilot pressure based on real-time feedback unlocks tight ΔP regulation, fast disturbance rejection, and controlled ramp-up/ramp-down; capabilities that are directly relevant to electrolyzers operating under fluctuating input power (e.g., transient PV drop events). The demonstration includes illustration of performance tracking and disturbance responses. Credit & thanks for the recording to World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition 2026.