ClimateJuly 14, 2026

electrolyser

/ɪˈlɛktrəlaɪzər/

Definition

An industrial apparatus that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek 'elektron' (amber, source of electricity) and 'lysis' (a loosening or breaking down), combined with the English suffix '-er' to denote a device. It describes the process of electrolytic decomposition, which dates back to early 19th-century scientific research.

In the news

In this article, the word refers to the physical infrastructure required for green hydrogen production, which the EU has failed to build at the scale originally planned. The current lack of operational electrolysers is cited as evidence that the EU's hydrogen strategy has fallen short of its goals.

Brussels announces broad hydrogen policy overhaul

Read the full article ↗

euractiv.com

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