Multimegawatt Electrolyzer Stack Heat Exchangers

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), operating under the Department of Energy Office of Science, is seeking to procure five specialized heat exchangers to support cooling of electrolyzer stacks in their Multimegawatt Electrolyzer project. The procurement requires plate-type heat exchangers with specific thermal rejection capabilities: three units must reject over 1 MW of heat while two units must reject over 1.5 MW, managing heat transfer between Type I deionized water on the hot side and a 50/50 water/propylene glycol mixture on the cold side. Critical technical requirements include ASME pressure code compliance, maximum operating temperatures of 200°F, specific pressure tolerances, and passivation in accordance with ASTM A967 for DI water service. The solicitation utilizes a Lowest Price (Cost), Technically Acceptable Selection method under NAICS code 332410 for Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing with a 750-employee size standard. The original quote deadline was September 25, 2025, at 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, though Amendment No. 1 indicates delivery flexibility extending to May 2026.

This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designations and no incumbent contractors are identified in the documentation. While specific award values are not disclosed, the heat exchangers support a $20 million test platform for electrolyzer research, indicating the significance of this procurement to the overall project. The solicitation calls for exactly five heat exchangers with two distinct configurations based on their thermal rejection requirements and corresponding flow rates, with glycol flow rates ranging from 416-625 gpm and DI water flow rates from 620-940 gpm. Performance will occur at NREL's Flatirons Campus in Arvada, Colorado, operating at 6,040 feet altitude within a climate-controlled enclosure. The anticipated contract vehicle is a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order with delivery expected by December 31, 2025, though recent amendments provide additional scheduling flexibility.