Project Developer's Guide
Complete deployment handbook: site selection, permitting, BOP integration, and 45V compliance
Abstract
This deployment handbook provides everything needed to take a Tobe electrolyzer project from site selection through permitting, construction, and 45V tax credit compliance. It includes detailed requirements for the T-25, T-125, and T-2500 systems, plus practical checklists and appendices for project teams to reference throughout development.
What You'll Learn
- →System specifications for T-25, T-125, and T-2500 (25–2,500 kg/day output)
- →Site requirements: physical footprint, water, electrical, and environmental design basis
- →Permitting roadmap with NFPA 2, NEC, and AHJ coordination guidance
- →Balance of plant integration: water treatment, gas handling, controls
- →45V compliance: credit tiers, EAC "three pillars," and verification requirements
- →Project economics with incentives (LCOH modeling with $3.00/kg Tier 1 credit)
- →Deployment timeline: 6–24 months depending on complexity
Project developers evaluating sites and building pro formas; EPCs and owner's engineers designing hydrogen facilities; offtakers planning procurement; and investors conducting due diligence.
Executive Summary
This guide provides everything a project developer needs to deploy Tobe electrolyzer systems—from initial site screening through permitting, construction, commissioning, and 45V tax credit compliance.
- •Who this guide is for:
- •Project Developers — evaluating sites and building project pro formas
- •EPCs & Owner's Engineers — designing and constructing hydrogen facilities
- •Offtakers — industrial users, fleet operators, utilities planning hydrogen procurement
- •Investors & Lenders — conducting technical and financial due diligence
Typical timeline: 12–18 months from site screening to commissioning (6–9 months fast track, 18–24+ months complex).
System Overview
Tobe's electrolyzer platform uses proprietary isothermal electrolysis to achieve industry-leading efficiency without platinum-group metals, membranes, or caustic electrolytes.
- •Product line:
- •T-25: ~25 kg/day, 50 kW, compact skid — Pilot, R&D, distributed applications
- •T-125: ~125 kg/day, 250 kW, 20' ISO container — Commercial, fleet fueling
- •T-2500: ~2,500 kg/day, ~3.7 MW, multi-container — Industrial, hub-scale
- •Key specifications:
- •Specific energy: ~42 kWh/kg H₂ (system, AC input)
- •Electrical efficiency: ~94% (HHV basis)
- •Turndown range: 10–100%
- •Operating temperature: <50°C (near ambient)
- •Design availability: ≥95%
Site Requirements
Use this section to quickly screen whether a site is "electrolyzer-friendly" before committing to detailed engineering.
- •Physical requirements (with BOP + storage):
- •T-25: ~500 ft² (50 m²)
- •T-125: ~2,500 ft² (230 m²)
- •T-2500: ~15,000+ ft² (1,400 m²)
- •Water requirements:
- •DI water to stack: 9–10 L/kg H₂
- •Raw water makeup: 15–20 L/kg H₂ (including RO reject)
- •Integrated RO/DI achieves <0.1 µS/cm water quality
- •Electrical requirements:
- •T-25 (×2): 200A @ 480V 3φ — behind-the-meter feasible
- •T-125 (×2): 800A @ 480V 3φ — dedicated feeder typical
- •T-2500: Medium voltage + transformer — utility coordination required
Permitting Roadmap
Permitting is often the longest lead-time item in hydrogen projects. Front-loading this work reduces schedule risk.
- •Typical permitting stakeholders:
- •Building Department — IBC, IMC, IPC
- •Fire Marshal — NFPA 2, NFPA 55, IFC
- •Electrical Inspector — NFPA 70 (NEC)
- •Utility — interconnection, service upgrades
- •Environmental Agency — water discharge, stormwater, air
- •Typical timeline ranges:
- •Fast Track: 2–4 months (industrial zone, experienced AHJ, small storage)
- •Typical: 4–9 months (standard AHJ, moderate storage)
- •Complex: 9–18+ months (large storage, contested zoning, environmental review)
ISO 22734 listing status: In-process with NRTL (CSA/TÜV/UL pathway under evaluation). Target completion: Q2-Q3 2026.
45V Compliance & Carbon Intensity
The Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit is the most significant incentive for U.S. hydrogen projects.
- •Credit tiers (full rates require PWA compliance):
- •Tier 1: <0.45 kg CO₂e/kg H₂ → $3.00/kg PTC (30% ITC)
- •Tier 2: 0.45–1.5 kg CO₂e/kg H₂ → $1.00/kg PTC (10% ITC)
- •Tier 3: 1.5–2.5 kg CO₂e/kg H₂ → $0.75/kg PTC (7.5% ITC)
- •Tier 4: 2.5–4.0 kg CO₂e/kg H₂ → $0.60/kg PTC (6% ITC)
- •The "Three Pillars" for EAC-based compliance:
- •Incrementality — Clean electricity source placed in service within 36 months of electrolyzer
- •Deliverability — Same grid region (eGRID subregion) as hydrogen facility
- •Temporal Matching — Annual matching through 2029; hourly matching from Jan 1, 2030
DISCLAIMER: This guide provides general information only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Confirm all 45V-related decisions with qualified tax counsel and the latest IRS/Treasury guidance.
Project Economics with Incentives
Understanding how 45V incentives interact with project economics is critical for investment decisions.
- •LCOH with Tobe systems (assuming Tier 1 45V credit):
- •At $0.02/kWh electricity: $1.15/kg pre-45V → -$1.85/kg net
- •At $0.04/kWh electricity: $1.99/kg pre-45V → -$1.01/kg net
- •At $0.06/kWh electricity: $2.84/kg pre-45V → -$0.16/kg net
- •At $0.08/kWh electricity: $3.68/kg pre-45V → $0.68/kg net
Note: "Negative LCOH" indicates strong project economics during the 10-year credit period but does not guarantee profit at any hydrogen price. Actual returns depend on capacity factor achieved, credit tier qualification (verified annually), monetization pathway, and other project costs.
Deployment Timeline
- •Typical project phases:
- •Site Screening: 1–3 months → Site shortlist, offtake term sheet
- •Power & Water Feasibility: 1–4 months → Utility letters, water source plan
- •FEED & Permitting: 3–9 months → Permit package, AFC drawings
- •Procurement: 3–6 months → Equipment ordered, delivered
- •Construction: 4–8 months → Civil, mechanical, electrical complete
- •Commissioning: 2–4 weeks → SAT closeout, performance test
- •Total timeline ranges:
- •Fast track: 6–9 months
- •Typical: 12–18 months
- •Complex: 18–24+ months
- •Tobe equipment lead times:
- •T-25: 12–16 weeks from PO
- •T-125: 16–20 weeks from PO
- •T-2500: 20–28 weeks (custom engineering required)