Inside the Hydrogen Electrolysis System Developed by Indefol and partners

April 18th, 2026 - IDF-EX1000X is a clean hydrogen production electrolyzer system developed by Indefol, with 50% of the technology localized in Vietnam and powered by renewable energy sources.

The IDF-EX1000X electrolyzer system was manufactured by Indefol, a Ho Chi Minh City-based company founded in 2008. The product belongs to the medium-scale electrolyzer category and is designed in a modular containerized format, making it suitable for deployment at factories or integration with renewable energy systems.

According to company representatives, this is the first 1 MW hydrogen production system manufactured in Vietnam. The company stated that it has mastered 50% of the technology, while the remaining 32% originates from Germany and 18% from France.

IDF-EX1000X designed and developed by Indefol and partners

In the renewable energy landscape, hydrogen storage is considered a complementary solution for solar, wind, and hydropower systems, all of which depend heavily on real-time natural conditions. While solar and wind power are becoming increasingly affordable, they remain intermittent and require storage systems such as batteries to balance electricity loads. Hydropower, meanwhile, depends on geography and water availability.

Hydrogen serves a different role: instead of storing electricity directly, it converts surplus electricity into chemical energy through electrolysis, enabling long-term large-scale storage and flexible transportation. As a result, hydrogen is considered a promising option for long-duration energy storage, especially in large renewable energy systems targeting carbon neutrality.

Green hydrogen (H₂) and green ammonia (NH₃) are the two main products generated by electrolyzer systems. According to energy experts, green hydrogen produced from renewable electricity can replace fossil fuels in heavy industry, while ammonia is an important input for fertilizer production and directly affects agricultural productivity.

Green hydrogen is gradually entering everyday life, from fuel-cell vehicles with zero emissions to energy storage solutions for industrial parks and foreign-invested manufacturers that need to adopt greener operations in order to export products to Europe. However, integrating hydrogen into daily life still faces challenges. For example, the two-way energy conversion process through hydrogen results in energy losses, while the high cost of storage infrastructure limits large-scale self-sufficiency.

The IDF-EX1000X uses renewable electricity sources, such as solar power, to operate. The company also offers wind energy solutions to supply electricity for the system. According to the manufacturer, the system can use grid electricity, but doing so is neither cost-effective nor aligned with the company’s commitment to renewable energy.

Compared with solutions from China or Europe, Indefol’s system removes intermediary conversion stages, allowing direct DC power from solar systems to connect straight to the electrolyzer. This reduces energy losses caused by complex AC/DC conversion equipment and improves the overall efficiency of the system.

Inside the Alkaline Electrolyzer developed by Indefol's Engineers

To optimize electrochemical performance, the IDF-EX1000X is equipped with an intelligent pressure-control valve system that maintains perfect balance between the anode and cathode chambers. This precise control not only protects the sensitive membrane separators inside the electrode compartments but also ensures stable long-term operation.

After electrolysis, the gas mixture passes through a reaction vessel containing Palladium or Platinum catalysts to completely remove residual oxygen. It is then directed into a TSA (Temperature Swing Adsorption) drying system. This temperature-based adsorption technology removes moisture thoroughly, enabling the hydrogen purity level to reach 99.999%, according to the company. This standard satisfies the strict requirements of high-tech and semiconductor industries.

Control cabinet

The smooth operation of the entire system is coordinated by a central control cabinet integrating PLCs and inverters. The system continuously collects data from a network of pressure, temperature, and gas concentration sensors to automatically regulate valves and pumps through control algorithms.

The system also includes a dedicated DC Solar power cabinet designed to optimize energy management from solar panels. All equipment, from corrosion-resistant stainless steel materials to electronic modules, complies with explosion-proof and overload protection standards, ensuring safety in environments containing flammable gases such as hydrogen.

The IDF-EX1000X is mainly applied in industrial heat production, factory energy supply, and the provision of chemical feedstocks for refineries and ammonia production for fertilizers, as well as industries such as oil refining, textiles, and chemicals. Large industrial enterprises, energy-intensive factories, and global supply chains are expected to have strong hydrogen demand in the coming years.

Alongside mastering 50% of the technology used in the IDF-EX1000X, Indefol aims to increase localization to 60–70% before 2030, with participation from engineering teams at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.

Beyond technology development, the company is investing heavily in human resource development through its research and development (R&D) center. Engineers there participate directly in research, testing, and product improvement while receiving hands-on training to strengthen professional capabilities connected to real-world applications.

The company also seeks to expand international exposure opportunities through overseas study and work programs, with the goal of building a sustainable talent ecosystem and nurturing future generations of highly qualified engineers.

Source: Vnexpress

Written by: Bao Lam

Translated by: Do Quyen