Alexey Ustinov selected to lead Cummins electrolyzer business
Cummins has pegged hydrogen as one of the biggest opportunities to green the economy
Cummins has pegged hydrogen as one of the biggest opportunities to green the economy
Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) has named Alexey Ustinov the leader of its hydrogen generation business as Vice President of Electrolyzers. Ustinov has been with Cummins for 28 years and will leverage his deep industry expertise, most recently leading the company’s off-highway diesel engine segment, to realize Cummins’ goals in the hydrogen technology space.
“I’m thrilled to have Alexey at the helm of this team of innovators to accelerate the scaling and adoption of hydrogen technologies,” said Amy Davis, Vice President and President of New Power at Cummins. “Hydrogen will play a significant role in a decarbonized global economy, with the ability to support the most energy-intensive industries. Electrolysis represents a critical component of a net-zero future, and Alexey’s expertise and experience will help us drive the technology and the market forward.”
Based in Brussels, Belgium, Ustinov will work with leadership of Cummins’ alternative power business unit and teams across the world to solve for the industry’s unique challenges.
“Cummins has a robust strategy to realize a more sustainable future, the crux of which is bringing cleaner technology to the market quickly,” said Ustinov. “Hydrogen innovation is at the forefront of our path to a zero-emissions future, and we have the market-leading technology and world-class talent to help customers in the most difficult-to-abate sectors make the transition. I am inspired by the incredible potential we have to better the industries and the communities in which we work.”
Most of the 75 million tons of hydrogen used today is produced using natural gas through a process called steam methane reforming. This type of hydrogen is classified as “grey” hydrogen and while better than fossil fuels, still produces harmful greenhouse gases. Cummins is committed to scaling water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, which produces what is classified as “green” hydrogen. When an electrolysis plant is run with energy from solar, wind or hydropower, the hydrogen produced is carbon-free.
Cummins has a broad portfolio of renewable hydrogen technologies, commercially producing both proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyzers. Reports from both Credit Suisse and McKinsey recognize Cummins PEM electrolyzer technology has the best efficiency in the market. Cummins is also conducting research and development for solid oxide electrolyzers, with the help of a recent U.S. Department of Energy project award.
Cummins electrolyzers power the largest PEM electrolysis plant in operation in the world in Bécancour, Canada, at 20MW, and the company recently announced a new 25MW green hydrogen plant project with Florida Power & Light. Cummins technology also powers the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell passenger train in pilot operation across Europe; the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial maritime vessel, a 75-passenger ferry off the coast of San Francisco, California; and the world’s first hydrogen refueling station for ships, cars, trucks and industrial customers in Antwerp, Belgium.
Cummins Inc., a global power solutions leader, comprises five business segments – Components, Engine, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins – supported by our global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company’s commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products. The products range from advanced diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, valvetrain technologies, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, axles, drivelines, brakes, suspension systems, electric power generation systems, batteries, electrified power systems, hydrogen production technologies and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 75,500 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $735 million on sales of $34.1 billion in 2023.
