Loughborough University researchers have successfully commissioned the world’s first full-scale lead-acid green hydrogen battery-electrolyser at Mwanza District Hospital in Malawi, achieving hydrogen purity levels exceeding 99% for critical medical and cooking applications.
Key Takeaways
- Technological First: The system utilizes standard lead-acid battery chemistry to generate hydrogen, a cost-effective alternative to traditional electrolysers.
- Project Scale: Part of the £1.5 million Innovate UK MESCH project, the unit includes a solar microgrid and 350 metres of underground hydrogen storage piping.
- Operational Impact: The system replaces wood and charcoal for hospital cooking and provides backup power for medical equipment in two wards.
- Timeline: Full commissioning and handover to local hospital authorities are scheduled for early 2026.
The Context: Decentralized Energy Innovation The deployment is part of the Modular Energy Storage with Clean Hydrogen (MESCH) project, funded by Innovate UK. The system integrates solar PV panels with a specialized battery-electrolyser developed by the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST). Unlike standard electrolysis which requires separate power and hydrogen generation units, this hybrid system uses the battery itself to drive the chemical reaction. The resulting green hydrogen is piped to a specially adapted cooker, aiming to combat energy poverty and eliminate the health risks associated with traditional biomass fuels in healthcare settings.
The Industry Perspective The project represents a collaboration between UK academia and Malawian renewable specialists INFLO Ltd. PhD researcher Soustain Chigalu, who is leading the on-site feasibility studies, emphasized the scalability of the technology.
“Working within the EnerHy CDT has given me the chance to turn theory into practice – starting from experiments with a single battery cell producing hydrogen in a bag, to building a full hybrid energy system,” Chigalu stated. “Today, that system combines a solar microgrid, battery-electrolyser, and energy storage that will deliver green hydrogen for cooking and clean electricity to this rural district hospital.”
Bioenergy Business Analysis: For investors and policymakers, this project signals a potential breakthrough in “frugal innovation” for the hydrogen sector. By leveraging established lead-acid supply chains (supplied here by Monbat) instead of rare-earth dependent PEM electrolysers, this technology could drastically lower the CapEx for green hydrogen microgrids. If the £1.5 million pilot proves durable in Malawi’s remote conditions, it presents a replicable model for rural electrification and clean cooking markets across Africa and Southeast Asia, decoupling hydrogen production from high-cost industrial hubs.
