Hydrogen News from Europe – Nov.2023
Alexela on track to open Estonia’s first hydrogen stations
Two locations are set to be opened next year, at the same time the company will start selling hydrogen cylinders to consumers.
Last update: November 17, 2023
Alexela is set to open Estonia’s first hydrogen refueling station with two green H2 site’s to be opened in Tallinn next October. One of them is set to cater to passenger cars located in Peterburi Road and the other will refuel buses and trucks in Väo, both created in cooperation with Utilitas.
In addition, Alexela will be ready to start selling hydrogen cylinders to consumers next year. Unlike Latvia, hydrogen sold in Estonia will be 100% green, produced from renewable sources.
The construction permit for the first hydrogen filling station has already been issued, the equipment and technology have been ordered, expected to arrive by next September.
“We know that 30 hydrogen vehicles will start running as public transport next fall, and car dealers predict that hundreds more cars and heavy equipment, including buses, trucks and ships, will be added in the coming years,” said Tarmo Kärsna, Head of Energy Sales at Alexela.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/alexela-to-open-estonias-first-h2-stations/
Netherlands and Belgium could lead H2 imports in NW Europe
The latest research by Westwood Global Energy Group, a market research and consultancy firm, has revealed an optimistic outlook for Northwest Europe (NWE) hydrogen imports, led by targets set by the Netherlands and Belgium.
According to Westwood, the two countries have a collective potential to provide 62% of the European Union’s (EU) import target. However, a range of factors, including the countries’ ability to scale domestic production, timely development of offshore wind and infrastructure as well as the establishment of global partnerships, will be crucial to their success, Westwood noted.
The consultancy firm pointed out that 72% of the Netherlands’ 12.5 GW pipeline are green hydrogen projects, with 92% of these requiring power from offshore wind. In addition, according to Westwood’s ‘Hydrogen Project Certainty’ analysis, there is a risk in reaching domestic production targets.
Furthermore, research revealed that only 3 mtpa of the Netherlands’ announced hydrogen pipeline is “probable,” leaving the country 1 GW short of its 4 GW by 2030 target. This increases to a shortfall of 5 GW if the proposed 8 GW target for 2032 is approved, Westwood said. Thus, imports could likely be required to meet the country’s own domestic decarbonization goals before being available to wider Europe.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/netherlands-belgium-could-lead-h2-imports-in-nw-europe/
Johnson Matthey tech recycles H2 fuel cell and electrolyser materials
15 November 2023
Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, today announced the successful lab scale demonstration of its new HyRefine technology for recycling hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyser materials. While there are established routes to recycle the platinum group metals (PGMs), often the ionomer isn’t recovered. We believe this is the first ever demonstration of circularity for the PGMs and valuable ionomer together.
JM researchers have proven at lab scale that both the PGMs and the ionomer can be recovered and recycled into new catalyst coated membranes – the performance-defining components at the heart of hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysers. Separate experiments have confirmed that the recycled PGM catalysts match the performance of fresh material.
As the hydrogen economy takes off, embedding circularity is critical to conserve precious resources and minimise the environmental impact of manufacturing new hydrogen technologies.
Using a purely chemical process, JM’s HyRefine technology offers efficiency and sustainability benefits compared to conventional PGM refining.
Processing only fuel cell and electrolyser material, JM’s bespoke HyRefine technology provides additional traceability of the critical PGMs. The output from this process would be 100% secondary (recycled).
Secondary metal has up to a 98% lower carbon footprint than primary (mined) metal, offering significant sustainability benefits. The PGM can then be seamlessly integrated into JM’s PGM catalyst manufacturing and subsequent CCM manufacturing.
Following successful 5 litre lab scale demonstrations, JM is now scaling up this technology to run 50 litre pilot trials in its facility in Brimsdown, UK.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/johnson-matthey-tech-recycles-h2-fuel-cell-and-electrolyser-materials/
Agreement signed on connecting Dutch, German H2 networks
15 November 2023
Market parties and transmission system operators from the Netherlands and Germany want accelerated cross-border hydrogen infrastructure to connect Dutch hydrogen production and import with German industry. To reinforce its importance, Dutch and German infrastructure companies, energy companies and governments today signed agreements in Duisburg on developing a hydrogen corridor between the Netherlands and Germany and its use.
The signings took place during King Willem-Alexander’s visit to several hydrogen projects in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia. Parallel to the King’s working visit, some 40 Dutch companies took part in a hydrogen economic mission led by State Secretary for Economic Affairs Hans Vijlbrief.
Agreements on cross-border hydrogen network to make German industry more sustainable
Under the watchful eye of King Willem-Alexander, Dutch Gasunie subsidiary Hynetwork Services and German transmission system operators Open Grid Europe and Thyssengas signed a cooperation agreement on the connection of the national hydrogen networks between the Netherlands and Germany. At the subsequently organised ‘H2 Connect event’, six energy companies, bp, Uniper, E.ON/Essent, Onyx Power, Equinor and ENGIE, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which they expressed their intention to transport hydrogen via the Netherlands to (industrial) customers in Germany, including North Rhine-Westphalia. Moreover, German energy company EnBW and Rotterdam’s import terminal ACE Terminal there announced plans to cooperate to supply hydrogen from ACE Terminal’s planned facilities at the Port of Rotterdam to German end-users.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/agreement-signed-on-connecting-dutch-german-h2-networks/
Germany presents H2 core network plan, eyes 2045 climate neutrality
14 November 2023
Germany’s core network for hydrogen fuel will extend over 9,700 km (6,000 miles) and cost around 20 billion euros ($21 billion) by 2032, the chairman of transmission system operator FNB Gas said on Tuesday, as Berlin bets on the fuel for decarbonisation.
Existing natural gas pipelines will make up 60% of the network, connecting ports, industry, storage facilities and power plants, FNB Gas Chairman Thomas Goessmann told a news conference presenting the network’s plans with Economy Minister Robert Habeck. The project will be privately financed.
Germany is seeking to expand reliance on hydrogen as a future energy source to cut greenhouse emissions for highly polluting industrial sectors that cannot be electrified, such as steel and chemicals, and cut dependency on imported fossil fuel.
In July, the German cabinet approved a new hydrogen strategy, setting guidelines for hydrogen production, transport infrastructure and market plans.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/germany-presents-h2-core-network-plan-eyes-2045-climate-neutrality/
Norway’s Viasea plans to build two H2-fuelled boxships
13 November 2023
Norwegian shortsea liner Viasea Shipping has announced plans to build a pair of hydrogen-powered containerships.
The Moss-headquartered company, established in 2016, has secured NOK171.8m ($15.4m) in funding from Norwegian government enterprise Enova for the project.
The vessels will be deployed on Viasea’s existing routes between Norway and northern Europe.
Viasea engaged The Norwegian Ship Design Company to develop the ship concept based on scaled-up solutions of technology developed under the designation “Powered by Nature,” which the company has developed in collaboration with shipowner Egil Ulvan Rederi.
The two ships will initially operate on a combination of hydrogen and diesel, equipped with two large rotor sails, a battery pack, and a range of other energy-efficient measures.
“We believe that advanced green hydrogen technology will revolutionise maritime transport in Europe, resulting in zero emissions. Since the founding of Viasea Shipping seven years ago, the goal has been to deliver more sustainable transport to the market. First as a greener alternative to road transport, and now with a focus on zero-emission maritime transport in Europe. This is our first step,” said Morten Pettersen, managing director at Viasea Shipping.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/norways-viasea-plans-to-build-two-h2-fuelled-boxships/
Air Products to build CCS facility at existing H2 plant in Rotterdam
9 November 2023
Industrial gas supplier Air Products has revealed plans to build, own, and operate a carbon capture and CO2 treatment facility at its existing hydrogen production plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The company aims to bring the facility on stream in 2025, with the resulting blue hydrogen product to serve ExxonMobil’s (Esso) Rotterdam refinery and additional customers via its hydrogen pipeline network system.
According to Air Products, this will be the largest blue hydrogen plant in Europe once operational.
As explained, the carbon capture retrofit will capture CO2 from Air Products’ existing hydrogen plant and ExxonMobil’s Rotterdam refinery and the plant will be connected to the Porthos system.
The Porthos project is the first large-scale CO2 transport and storage system in the Netherlands which recently reached final investment decision approval. It was designed to transport CO2 captured from industry in the port of Rotterdam to depleted gas fields in the North Sea, approximately 20 kilometers off the coast, where it will be permanently stored at a depth of more than 3 kilometers beneath the seabed.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/air-products-to-build-ccs-facility-at-existing-h2-plant-in-rotterdam/
Air Liquide, Siemens Energy launch gigawatt electrolyser factory in Germany
9 November 2023
Air Liquide and Siemens Energy have launched their joint gigawatt electrolyser factory in Berlin, Germany – a move that will enable the manufacturing of low-carbon hydrogen at industrial scale.
Expected to ramp-up to an annual production capacity of three gigawatts by 2025, the 2,000m2 factory harnesses robotics and automation for the production of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser modules.
PEM modules use only renewable electricity and water to create green hydrogen through electrolysis. The hydrogen can then be stored as a gas or liquid and can be released into the gas grid, be used as clean vehicle fuel, or in a range of industrial processes.
According to Siemens Energy, global hydrogen demand reached 95m tonnes per year in 2022. Hydrogen is needed as a reducing agent in steel production and cargo vessel operators are now looking to source hydrogen for the production of methanol – often touted as a ‘fuel of the future’ for aviation and mobility.
Construction of Europe’s first H2 pipeline system underway in Netherlands
3 November 2023
The construction of the first section of a 1,200-kilometer national hydrogen network began near Rotterdam. Officials said the Netherlands would be the first country in Europe with such infrastructure.
Nederlandse Gasunie, the Dutch gas infrastructure and transmission operator, marked the beginning of the installation of a 30-kilometer hydrogen pipeline. It is the first part of a planned national network of 1,200 kilometers, valued at EUR 1.5 billion.
The first section, worth EUR 100 million, will run from the new port and industrial park Tweede Maasvlakte (Maasvlakte 2) near Rotterdam to Shell’s gas refinery in Pernis. The European Union is rolling out hefty subsidies to stimulate both the production and demand for low-carbon hydrogen, also known as clean hydrogen. The industry is still in a very early phase and such technologies have a long way to become competitive against hydrogen produced from fossil gas.
The idea behind the project is to connect industrial hubs within the Netherlands as well as with Germany and Belgium. The network is envisaged with storage facilities including a salt cavern in the country’s north.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/construction-of-europes-first-h2-pipeline-system-underway-in-netherlands/
King Willem-Alexander marks start of construction of Gasunie’s national H2 network
30 October 2023
On Friday 27 October, his Majesty the King of the Netherlands performed the official ceremony to start work on the construction of a national hydrogen network in the Netherlands. The ceremony took place on the building site of Gasunie subsidiary Hynetwork Services in the port of Rotterdam, where the contractor, Visser & Smit Hanab, will build the first section of the national network. From 2030, the national hydrogen network, which will cost around 1.5 billion euros to build, will connect the Netherlands’ major industrial areas to each other and to Germany and Belgium. The Dutch government commissioned Gasunie last year to develop the hydrogen network.
After the official start, King Willem-Alexander was treated to a tour of the building site by Gasunie and contractor staff. Sustainable, zero-emission equipment will be used for the construction, and Gasunie will also use solutions such as HyTap, which is unique technology that makes it possible to safely connect end users to the hydrogen pipelines. After the tour, the King engaged with several of the parties involved in both the Netherlands and abroad about the transition of businesses towards sustainability, about the role of hydrogen in a sustainable energy system, about hydrogen transport, and about hydrogen import options.
Hydrogen plays a crucial role in making energy supply more sustainable. For example, in making industry and heavy transport more sustainable. One of the preconditions for the development of a hydrogen market is that there needs to be infrastructure in place for the transport and storage of hydrogen. By being the first country in Europe to have its hydrogen infrastructure in place, the Netherlands can become an important hub for renewable energy.
Germany to back 50 MW green H2 project in Algeria
25 October 2023
German development bank KfW will provide financial support for a 50-MW pilot green hydrogen project in Algeria as part of a broader partnership between the two countries aimed at promoting the development of green energy.
The goal of the project is to gain technological expertise in the entire value chain for this new sector at local level, Algeria’s Ministry of Energy and Mining said on Tuesday without disclosing more details about the project.
The announcement was made following the fifth German-Algerian Energy Day forum that took place in the capital Algiers on Monday.
During the forum, Algerian energy minister Mohamed Arkab, the secretary of the German economy ministry Stefan Wenzel and around 300 representatives from politics, business and research from both countries discussed the importance of promoting investments and securing financing for renewable energy projects, as well as the deployment of low-carbon technologies and their role in achieving global climate goals.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/germany-to-back-50-mw-green-h2-project-in-algeria/
ACWA eyes Amsterdam for green H2 trade link
24 October 2023
ACWA Power has struck a memorandum of understanding on studying a green hydrogen export corridor to Amsterdam.
The company signed the deal with Zenith Energy Terminals, GasLog and the Port of Amsterdam. The companies signed the deal during the Saudi-EU Investment Forum, in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands agreed to work on green energy opportunities in May this year.
ACWA noted that it was involved in the Neom green hydrogen project, in Saudi, and was working on a second project in Uzbekistan.
“This collaboration is more than just a stepping stone – it is a leap towards a new horizon. As a first mover in green hydrogen, ACWA Power is not just unlocking the potential of green hydrogen, the fuel of the future, but we are also exporting our expertise and commitment to a global audience,” said the company CEO Marco Arcelli.
“Our collaboration with GasLog, Zenith Energy Terminals, and Port of Amsterdam signifies our dedication to clean energy leadership on an international stage.”
Under the MoU, the companies will carry out a feasibility study on liquid green hydrogen, travelling between ACWA’s production sites and Amsterdam. Depending on the results of the study, the group may reach a joint development agreement (JDA). This would involve agreeing roles and responsibilities, in addition to talks with potential offtakers around Amsterdam.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/acwa-eyes-amsterdam-for-green-h2-trade-link/
McPhy, Stargate Hydrogen to cooperate on alkaline electrolyser electrodes
20 October 2023
French electrolyser manufacturer McPhy Energy has partnered with Estonian-based Stargate Hydrogen to accelerate cooperation on electrodes for alkaline electrolysers.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see the companies use Stargate’s ceramic technology in large-scale alkaline electrolysis to improve the reliability of components of electrolysis systems.
By sharing knowledge and expertise, the pair hope to further strengthen the hydrogen value chain and accelerate cooperation between the two companies as both McPhy and Stargate look to scale-up by developing their industrial sites in France and Estonia respectively.
Last year (2022) Stargate said it was working with Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) to develop the next generation of electrolysers.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/mcphy-stargate-hydrogen-to-cooperate-on-alkaline-electrolyser-electrodes/
Coaches with Toyota H2 fuel cells for Paralympic Games in Paris
19 October 2023
Toyota, the worldwide mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), will use fuel cell converted coaches to provide transportation to over 5,000 visitors as part of its guest programme during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. After the Games, the hydrogen coaches will complete their full use cycle, providing service for public and private customers inside the Ile de France region as a legacy of Paris 2024.
Toyota will supply GCK – a group of industrial companies offering technological solutions to accelerate the decarbonisation of transport – with hydrogen fuel cell modules to convert ten used Iveco coaches into zero tailpipe emission electric vehicles. The converted coaches will be purchased by B.E. Green – a French company providing carbon-neutral transportation services – who will introduce the hydrogen vehicles into its existing fleet after use at the Games. The first converted long-distance coach with the Toyota fuel cell module was presented today at the RNTP Transport Event in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
During conversion, the diesel engine and gearbox in the front of a coach are replaced with a 370kW electric motor, batteries, and a Toyota TFCM2-B fuel cell module. With this innovative approach and collaboration, Toyota has demonstrated the flexibility of its fuel cell modules and the potential of converting traditional transport into zero tailpipe emission vehicles.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/coaches-with-toyota-h2-fuel-cells-for-paralympic-games-in-paris/
Siemens and others test first 100% H2 gas turbine in France
16 October 2023
A breakthrough in hydrogen power has been achieved by a European consortium led by Siemens Energy, who have successfully tested a gas turbine that can run on pure hydrogen, natural gas, and any mix of the two.
The HYFLEXPOWER project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, aims to demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of using renewable hydrogen as a clean and reliable energy source for electricity and heat generation.
The project is based at the Saillat-sur-Vienne paper packaging plant in France, owned by Smurfit Kappa, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of corrugated packaging, containerboard, and ‘bag in box’ packages. The plant hosts a Siemens Energy SGT-400 industrial gas turbine, modified to operate with up to 100% hydrogen.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/siemens-and-others-test-first-100-h2-gas-turbine-in-france/
Ballard announces orders for over 170 H2 fuel cell engines to power Solaris buses
11 October 2023
Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ:BLDP; TSX:BLDP) today announced multiple purchase orders totaling 177 hydrogen fuel cell engines from long-standing customer Solaris Bus & Coach sp. z o.o. (“Solaris”; www.solarisbus.com), a leading European bus manufacturer deploying hydrogen-powered city buses across the continent. Ballard expects limited initial deliveries of the 177 fuel cell engines in 2023, with the remainder to ship from 2024 through 2026.
The orders include the supply of fuel cell engines to support the largest announced deployment of a fleet of fuel cell city buses in Europe, with 127 Solaris fuel cell buses to be deployed in Bologna, Italy. Ballard also received orders for a further 50 modules to power Solaris fuel cell buses in Germany and Italy. The number of engines ordered by Solaris year-to-date now exceeds 270, representing substantial growth over the more than 140 fuel cell city buses that Solaris has deployed with customers in Europe to date.
“We’re thrilled to see the continued success of our partner Solaris as they secure tender wins for fuel cell city bus deployments in Europe, further validating the value proposition of hydrogen-fueled buses to transit operators in the region,” said David Mucciacciaro, Ballard Chief Commercial Officer. “There is growing interest in Europe for larger deployments of zero-emission, fuel cell electric buses that offer range, refueling time, and operating rhythm consistent with legacy diesel bus experience, while also avoiding the challenges and costs associated with scaling recharging infrastructure for larger fleets of battery electric buses.”
Repsol’s 2.5MW electrolyser begins producing H2 in Spain
9 October 2023
Repsol has begun producing renewable hydrogen via a 2.5MW electrolyser at its Petronor industrial centre in Biscay, Spain.
With an investment of €11m, the facility’s electrolyser is expected to be capable of generating 350 tonnes per year of renewable hydrogen for industrial use, mainly in the refinery, as a raw material for manufacturing products with a lower carbon footprint.
Renewable hydrogen is used in the logistics platform of the Abanto Zierbana Technology Park (9.4 miles away) to power buses and heavy transport. Therefore, Repsol and the Basque Energy Agency have agreed to locate the Basque Country’s ‘first’ hydrogen refuelling station there, utilising the Petronor electrolyser via a Nortegas pipeline.
Repsol has revealed that Petronor will be the site for two more electrolysers, with a capacity of 10MW and 100MW, in the future, the latter already being recognised by the European Commission as an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI).
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/repsols-2-5mw-electrolyser-begins-producing-h2-in-spain/
IKEA Austria introduces hydrogen-powered delivery vehicles
6 October 2023
For two years, IKEA Austria has been supplying most of its customers in urban areas electrically and therefore emission-free. From now on, IKEA Austria is expanding its emission-free delivery with hydrogen-powered vehicles, taking a further step towards making all deliveries throughout Austria emission-free by 2025. Austria is the first IKEA store in the world to use hydrogen trucks.
The emission of greenhouse gases along supply chains is a problem with serious impacts on the climate – which is why IKEA Austria is taking further measures to be able to carry out all deliveries emission-free by 2025. “By introducing the hydrogen trucks – as the first IKEA store in the world – we have taken a big step in implementing environmentally friendly processes in Austria. As a pioneer in the area of sustainable logistics, we would like to show that a transformation to an emission-free delivery system is already possible today ,” says Alpaslan Deliloglu , CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA Austria.
While IKEA Austria has been supplying its customers in urban areas with EV (Electric Vehicle) trucks for two years, the introduction of the hydrogen trucks, which are now on Austria’s roads, will expand the range of emission-free delivery. “Our EV trucks are perfect for carrying out multi-stop routes in urban areas. Since we also want to supply customers in more remote areas of Austria with zero emissions, we had to find a solution with vehicles that provide a longer range: This is exactly what hydrogen fuel cell technology offers. And that without having to compromise on the payload weight ,” explains Melanie Eltzner , Customer Fulfillment Manager at IKEA Austria.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/ikea-austria-introduces-hydrogen-powered-delivery-vehicles/
Alstom unveils zero-emission train for Italian H2 valley
5 October 2023
Alstom and Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM) have presented Italy’s ‘first’ hydrogen-powered Coradia Stream train at the EXPO Ferroviaria 2023 event.
The train was presented by FNM, the leading integrated group in sustainable mobility in Lombardy, Italy, along with the manufacturer Alstom, and will enter into commercial service in Valcamonica between late 2024 and early 2025.
It will be utilised along the non-electrified Brescia-Iseo-Edolo line of FERROVIENORD where the rail service is operated by Trenord, as part of the H2iseO project which will see Italy’s first hydrogen valley established in Brescia.
The locomotive is expected to be Italy’s first zero direct carbon dioxide emission train, boasting hydrogen fuel cells, a 260-passenger capacity, and a range of more than 600km.
Michele Viale, General Manager of Alstom Italy and President and CEO of Alstom Ferroviaria, said, “A project that represents significant progress for the entire rail sector and confirms Alstom’s role in anticipating and shaping the future of mobility with new, highly sustainable transportation solutions.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/alstom-unveils-zero-emission-train-for-italian-h2-valley/
Fortescue invests in Electric Hydrogen electrolysers
5 October 2023
Fortescue has taken the lead investor role in Electric Hydrogen’s (EH2) US$380 million Series C funding round.
In addition to this major investment, Fortescue and EH2 have separately signed a framework procurement agreement to supply 1 GW of EH2’s electrolyser systems to Fortescue’s green hydrogen projects in the US and globally.
EH2’s complete 100 MW electrolyser systems produce green hydrogen from renewable electricity and water at large scale. Each EH2 electrolyser system can make nearly 50 tpd of green hydrogen at transformational low cost.
Fortescue Energy CEO, Mark Hutchinson, said: “Fortescue is committed and focused on supporting the rapid scaling of green technology to help heavy industry decarbonise and producing green hydrogen at scale is integral to that. Right now, there are not enough electrolysers in the world to support the amount of green hydrogen we are set to produce. That is why we are partnering with other world leaders in this space to secure our green energy supply chain, and we’re excited to invest and secure capacity with Electric Hydrogen to help us achieve our goals.”
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/fortescue-invests-in-electric-hydrogen-electrolysers/
Hystar plans 4GW Norwegian electrolyser factory
2 October 2023
PEM electrolyser company Hystar has announced a series of expansion plans, bidding to set up a 4GW fully automated facility in Norway by 2025 and establishing a new location in North America in 2024, along with a multi-gigawatt factory by 2027.
Having already started stack production for upcoming electrolyser deliveries, Hystar currently has production capacity of 50MW per year at its existing location. With plans to kick off the construction of the 4GW factory in Høvik in 2024, the site is expected to become fully operational by 2026.
The company has also said it is in discussions with both US and Canadian stakeholders to establish its first North American gigafactory, where it believes the commercial operations could exceed its European plans within a decade.
Saying the Norwegian site will be meeting demand for Hystar’s technology in Europe, the company’s CEO, Fredrik Mowill, added, “The North American market has created a highly favourable environment for companies like ours to thrive in.”
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/hystar-plans-4gw-norwegian-electrolyser-factory/
Daimler fuel cell truck kogs 1,000km run on single tank of H2
29 September 2023
Daimler Truck said it has successfully demonstrated that hydrogen fuel-cell technology can be the right solution to decarbonize long-haul road transportation.
The OEM announced that a public road-approved prototype of its Mercedes-Benz GenH2 truck completed Daimler Truck’s #HydrogenRecordRun covering 1,047 km driven with one tank of liquid hydrogen.
Powered by a cellcentric fuel-cell system and equipped with a liquid hydrogen fuel tank system, the run started on September 25, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Truck’s Customer Center in Woerth am Rhein, Germany and finished on the morning of September 26 in Germany’s capital city Berlin.
The truck completed the run fully loaded with a gross combined vehicle weight of 40 tons under real-life conditions, without emitting any CO2.
The record drive with sealed tanks and controlled mileage was independently confirmed by an inspection document from TÜV Rheinland.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/daimler-fuel-cell-truck-kogs-1000km-run-on-single-tank-of-h2/
UK, Germany sign H2 energy collaboration agreement
27 September 2023
Britain said on Tuesday it would work closely with Germany to underpin the international trade in hydrogen under a new partnership, which the government hopes will support its net zero target and bolster energy security.
The countries will also collaborate to speed up the role of low-carbon hydrogen in their energy mix, the British statement added.
“This agreement will underpin the development of this new fuel not just for our respective countries but also for an international trade that could be transformative in our work towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” Martin Callanan, a junior minister in the government’s energy department, said.
“It is through these partnerships that we can move away from expensive fossil fuels – and in doing so boost our energy security.”
Industry and policy-makers are increasingly looking to hydrogen to lower the environmental impact of sectors that have been the hardest to decarbonise and reduce the use of gas, but the investment required and the technical challenges are high.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/uk-germany-sign-h2-energy-collaboration-agreement/
Galp reaches FID on green H2 & SAF projects
26 September 2023
Galp has taken the final investment decision (FID) on two large scale projects to reduce the carbon footprint of the Sines refinery.
It confirmed it will invest in the construction of a 100MW electrolysis plant, to produce up to 15 ktpa of renewable hydrogen.
This large-scale project will allow the replacement of about 20% of the existing grey hydrogen consumption of the Sines refinery and may lead to greenhouse gas emissions reduction of c.110 ktpa (Scope 1 &2, CO2e).
The electrolysers will be supplied by renewable power, originated from long-term supply agreements, also leveraging on the Galp renewable power asset base. The unit will use industrial recycled water, with expected annual consumption representing less than 3% of the average annual needs of the refinery.
Plug Power was awarded the order for the 100 MW proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers, whilst Technip Energies will be the main EPCM provider.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/galp-reaches-fid-on-green-h2-saf-projects/
Tajikistan plans to produce 1M tons of H2 by 2040
25 September 2023
Hydropower-rich Tajikistan plans to produce 1 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2040 for usage at home and exports to neighbouring central Asian countries, its Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma told Reuters on Monday.
Juma, who is visiting Japan to attend a Tokyo energy transition event, said that Tajikistan planned to have 10 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
“We are fully dependent on oil product imports… and are developing a road map for producing green hydrogen,” Juma told Reuters on the sidelines of the conference.
Hydropower generates nearly all electricity of the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan and which imports the bulk of its oil product needs from Russia. According to the International Energy Agency, Tajikistan’s hydro potential is exploited at around 4%.
Tajikistan plans to produce 500,000 tons of green hydrogen by 2030 and to double that figure by 2040 thanks to ‘affordable competitive electric power’, said Juma, with 75% of that potentially aimed for exports to Central Asian countries using fossil fuels.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/tajikistan-plans-to-produce-1m-tons-of-h2-by-2040/
HyPSTER demonstrator paves way for EU H2 industry
21 September 2023
It’s been a great topic of discussion at ENGIE since 2021, and now it’s here! HyPSTER, the first renewable hydrogen storage demonstrator in a salt cavern, was officially inaugurated on September 15th. This highly anticipated project, supported by the European Union and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, paves the way for the creation of an industrial sector for renewable hydrogen storage.
The HyPSTER demonstrator was officially inaugurated on September 15th in Etrez, near Bourg-en-Bresse. The ceremony was attended by Catherine MacGregor, CEO of ENGIE, Charlotte Roule, CEO of Storengy, Mirela Altanasiu, Interim Executive Director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, Virginie Grinola-Bernard, Mayor of Bresse-Vallons, and numerous elected officials and business leaders.
Located at the Storengy storage site in Etrez, near Bourg-en-Bresse, France, the demonstrator was developed by a consortium of nine European companies and coordinated by Storengy, a subsidiary of ENGIE. It stems from a Research & Development project that confirmed the potential of the salt cavern known as “EZ 53” for hydrogen storage.
HyPSTER, aligning with the pioneering spirit of the flagship project in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, known as the “Zero Emission Valley” (the largest renewable hydrogen mobility project in France), adds an essential piece to the puzzle: storage.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/hypster-demonstrator-paves-way-for-eu-h2-industry/
Cyprus well-positioned for green H2 production and export
18 September 2023
Cyprus has the necessary know-how and conditions for the development of Renewable Energy Sources to contribute in the production of green hydrogen, experts said on Friday.
Speaking at an information day on Green Hydrogen in Cyprus held in Nicosia, experts noted that the island also has the geostrategic position for the import of hydrogen to Europe.
The government has set among its main priorities the reduction of electricity costs for households and businesses, while simultaneously strengthening the country’s energy supply, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said in his address at the event.
He added that the country is also aiming to contribute in Europe’s efforts to diversify energy sources and routes.
“We are implementing policies to promote the use of RES and Energy Saving measures, the electrical interconnection of Cyprus with neighbouring countries and the arrival of natural gas in Cyprus”, he noted.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/cyprus-well-positioned-for-green-h2-production-and-export/
Siemens Energy wins its biggest electrolyser order to date
15 September 2023
Siemens Energy has won a contract to supply 12 electrolysers with a total capacity of 200 megawatts to France’s Air Liquide, marking the biggest single order of the German group’s hydrogen division to date.
Electrolysers use electricity to produce hydrogen.
“Other large-scale projects must follow quickly,” Siemens Energy board member Anne-Laure de Chammard said. “For the development of a European hydrogen economy to succeed, we need reliable support from policymakers and simplified procedures for funding and approving such projects.”
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/siemens-energy-wins-its-biggest-electrolyser-order-to-date/
TotalEnergies launches green H2 tender call
14 September 2023
TotalEnergies announced a call for tenders for the annual production of 500,000 tonnes of “green” hydrogen on Thursday, as part of the French oil major’s plans to decarbonise its European refineries.
Its emissions reduction plan is to use green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy, to completely replace “grey” hydrogen in its carbon intensive industrial activities.
TotalEnergies said the transition to green hydrogen would reduce emissions by around five million metric tons of CO2 per year from its refineries in Europe, including its three oil refineries and two biorefineries in France.
The call for tenders will complement other smaller, local projects, it added.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/totalenergies-launches-green-h2-tender-call/
HDF Energy launches HYNAVAL to decarbonise maritime transport through H2
11 September 2023
Hydrogène de France (HDF Energy), leading developer of large-scale green hydrogen infrastructure and high-power fuel cell manufacturer , is taking a significant stake alongside CLYD, a naval architect, in the new company HYNAVAL. The two companies are combining their expertise to design hydrogen-powered boats and retrofit existing boats to hydrogen propulsion.
HYNAVAL, located within the Bordeaux port area, will have a dedicated facility for its activities. On this site, HYNAVAL will operate a shipyard specializing in the design, manufacture, and retrofit of hydrogen-powered boats, providing an emissions-free alternative. This collaboration will merge CLYD’s naval architecture expertise with HDF Energy’s mastery in the hydrogen domain.
With ten years of experience across the hydrogen value chain, HDF Energy will leverage its know-how in hydrogen infrastructure development. This strategic alliance solidifies the company’s position as a designer and producer of high-power fuel cells for maritime mobility, in addition to its applications in the railway sector and hydrogen power plants.
Established in Bordeaux since 2010, the CLYD group is a pioneer and expert in naval architecture, engineering and yacht retrofitting.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/hdf-energy-launches-hynaval-to-decarbonise-maritime-transport-through-h2/
H2 Green Steel raises €1.5bn for 1GW electrolyser
8 September 2023
In the largest private placement in Europe this year, H2 Green Steel has raised over €1bn for a GW-scale electrolyser project in Sweden.
The developer has raised €1.5bn in equity from an investor group led by Altor, GIC, Hy24 and Just Climate.
The proceeds will finance the construction and development of H2 Green Steel’s flagship large-scale green steel plant in Boden, Sweden. Groundworks have been ongoing on site in Boden since summer 2022 and H2 Green Steel is working towards start of operations end of 2025.
The private placement is co-led by new investor Hy24, together with existing investors Altor, GIC and Just Climate.
The transaction also includes new investors Andra AP -fonden and Temasek as well as a group of existing investors that continue to support H2 Green Steel with additional equity funding, including AMF, Cristina Stenbeck, Hitachi Energy, IMAS Foundation, Kinnevik, Schaeffler, Vargas and Wallenberg Investments holding company FAM.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/h2-green-steel-raises-e1-5bn-for-1gw-electrolyser/
UK trio targets cost parity with new H2 fuel cell truck
6 September 2023
Three UK-based companies have announced plans to develop and a new and commercially competitive hydrogen fuel cell-powered 44-tonne proof of concept heavy-duty truck.
Backed by the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) funding, Viritech, HORIBA MIRA and Intelligent Energy have come together for the £3m ($3.8m) Project ICEBreaker in a bid to lower the cost of owning hydrogen fuel cell trucks.
As lead partner, Viritech will offer its hydrogen fuel cell powertrain which it has optimised to reach parity with heavy-duty diesel powertrains. Intelligent Energy will support the integration utilising its latest generation of fuel cells designed for heavy-duty applications.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/uk-trio-targets-cost-parity-with-new-h2-fuel-cell-truck/
Sunfire wins 100MW electrolyser order from EU refinery
22 August 2023
German electrolyser maker Sunfire GmbH has received an order to supply a 100-MW pressurised alkaline electrolyser to an unnamed European refinery.
The contract includes 10 modules of the company’s electrolysis technology, each with a capacity of 10 MW, as well as the power supply units. Sunfire will also supervise the installation and commissioning of the system. The electrolyser is scheduled to start operations in early 2026.
Sunfire earlier this year launched serial electrolyser production in Solingen, Germany. It aims to achieve production capacity of up to 1 GW per year by 2024.
“Now we are ready to deliver on large scale projects,” stated Sunfire chief executive Nils Aldag. He highlighted that the 100-MW deal is Sunfire’s first commercial order from a leading refinery in Europe and added that refineries are a target sector for the company as they aim to decarbonise their operations through green hydrogen.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/the-woman-for-the-miracle-molecule/
Sheffield University to lead in green H2, eco-aviation fuel
16 August 2023
The University of Sheffield is set to produce more green hydrogen than any other UK research centre, thanks to new equipment that will support vital research to help decarbonise the aviation industry.
Sheffield’s Energy Institute is installing a new hydrogen electrolyser – technology that produces hydrogen by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The equipment will be used in research to develop and test new hydrogen-based sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).
The electrolyser, from IMI Remosa under the new brand IMI VIVO, is being installed in the University’s Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC) – the UK’s first R&D facility that is able to develop, test, validate and help certify new fuels all in one location. The facility, along with the new electrolyser, gives the UK much-needed R&D capabilities in SAFs and can play a major role in helping reduce the environmental impact of air travel.
SAFs are seen as a vital step in reducing global carbon emissions. The aviation industry is responsible for around seven per cent of total carbon emissions in the UK alone and this number is growing fast.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/sheffield-university-to-lead-in-green-h2-eco-aviation-fuel/
Ballard gets largest H2 fuel cell engine bus order in EU
8 August 2023
Ballard Power Systems has announced a near-100 strong hydrogen fuel cell engine order from Solaris Bus & Coach with deliveries starting late 2023 and most coming on stream next year.
The order, for 96 engines, include the largest single order to date that Ballard has received from Solaris – for 52 fuel cell engines that will power Solaris Urbino hydrogen buses for deployment by public transport operator Rebus Regionalbus Rostock, based in Güstrow, Germany.
Rebus is building two hydrogen refueling stations at depots in Güstrow and Bad Doberan to support the planned and future growth of hydrogen powered local public transportation.
In addition to the order for Güstrow-bound buses, Ballard has received orders from Solaris for an additional 44 fuel cell engines that will power Solaris buses in European cities. These orders will add to the more than 110 fuel cell buses that Solaris has deployed with customers in Europe to date.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/ballard-gets-largest-h2-fuel-cell-engine-bus-order-in-eu/
Fuel cells key to decarbonisation
31 July 2023
Automakers have worked on fuel cells for decades, but the tech has languished in the shadow of gasoline and battery-electric development. They’re now playing a key role in automakers’ strategies.
Thirty miles north of General Motors’ headquarters in Detroit, hundreds of engineers are developing a zero-emission alternative to battery-electric vehicles: hydrogen fuel cells.
They coat ink onto carbon paper and produce miles of seals that separate air, water and coolant. They build small-scale electrodes to test chemistries designed to create electricity from hydrogen with water as the only byproduct.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/fuel-cells-key-to-decarbonisation/
ANDRITZ wins first order in green H2 sector
27 July 2023
Koppö Energia of Finland has selected international technology group ANDRITZ to perform the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for a large-scale plant to produce green hydrogen.
This order is a milestone in ANDRITZ’s strategy to become one of the world’s leading industrial partners for large-scale green hydrogen production plants.
The plant, with a capacity of 200 MW, will be built in Kristinestad, Finland as part of a Power-to-X project. The customer, Koppö Energia, is a joint venture of Germany-based Prime Capital, a renowned asset manager specializing in alternative energy projects, and CPC Finland, a subsidiary of project developer and green power producer CPC Germania.
The Front-End Engineering Design provided by ANDRITZ will include the complete hydrogen plant, incorporating the alkaline electrolyzer technology of HydrogenPro. Based on the design, the joint venture intends to place the order for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of the green hydrogen production plant at the beginning of 2024.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/andritz-wins-first-order-in-green-h2-sector/
France gears Up for 1st Highway Hydrogen Station
20 July 2023
Dyneff has partnered with McPhy Energy to establish its first renewable hydrogen station.
Dyneff, a French fuel provider, will establish its first renewable hydrogen station with the help of McPhy Energy, a company that specializes in low-carbon hydrogen production and distribution equipment.
The hydrogen refueling station is also the first to be installed on a highway in France.
While it’s not the first hydrogen station in the country, the announcement of this particular station is notable for a couple of reasons. For starters, it will be the very first one located on a highway, which will help to benefit the country’s adoption of hydrogen vehicles.
Also, the equipment needed to establish the H2 station, which will be built on a site owned by Dyneff, will be designed and manufactured entirely in France.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/france-gears-up-for-1st-highway-hydrogen-station/
Bosch begins fuel-cell power module production
17 July 2023
German auto supplier Bosch will invest almost 2.5 billion euros ($2.8 billion) in hydrogen fuel cell technology from 2021 to 2026 and expects to generate roughly 5 billion in sales from it by 2030, the company said on Thursday.
The planned investment was one billion euros more than earmarked in its previous investment plan for 2021-2024, the statement added.
Vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells, in which hydrogen mixes with oxygen to produce water and energy to power a battery, can refuel in minutes and have a much longer range than battery-electric vehicles, but infrastructure is lacking and it is less energy-efficient.
Bosch expects one in five new trucks weighing six metric tons or more would feature fuel-cell powertrains by 2030, it said.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/bosch-begins-fuel-cell-power-module-production/
UNIDO, Hydrogen Europe ink partnership advancing H2 collaboration
28 June 2023
Brussels – In a landmark event, UNIDO and Hydrogen Europe, the leading industry association representing the hydrogen sector, signed a Joint Declaration to strengthen the collaboration and accelerate the advancement of hydrogen technologies. The signing ceremony took place on 27 June 2023 before Hydrogen Europe’s General Assembly and Summer Market.
The Joint Declaration signifies a new phase of cooperation between UNIDO and Hydrogen Europe within the framework of the UNIDO Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry. Hydrogen Europe, with over 450 members, including more than 30 EU regions and 35 national associations, plays a pivotal role in promoting hydrogen as a catalyst for a zero-emission society. UNIDO provides support to its 171 Member States on three focus areas: ending hunger by helping businesses from farm to fork; stopping climate breakdown by using renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting sustainable supply chains so that developing country producers get a fair deal and scarce resources are preserved. The UNIDO Global Programme for Hydrogen aims to provide crucial support to developing countries in their endeavours to achieve net-zero industrial development through the production and use of clean hydrogen. By doing so, the programme aims to create job opportunities, enhance skills, mobilize investments, ensure energy security, and enable the participation of developing countries in the global hydrogen trade.
The expanded partnership outlined in the Joint Declaration encompasses various key areas, including:
• Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building: UNIDO and Hydrogen Europe will foster collaboration on policies, technical skills, standards, and technologies to support clean hydrogen implementation in the industry. This exchange will enhance the understanding and utilization of hydrogen technologies within industrial processes.
• Promotion of Hydrogen Technologies: The collaboration aims to promote the adoption and deployment of hydrogen technologies across industrial sectors, unlocking their potential for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
• Joint Events and Global Forum Activities: UNIDO and Hydrogen Europe will jointly organize events and participate in global forums to facilitate knowledge-sharing, discussion, and collaboration on hydrogen-related topics.
• Pilot Projects Development: The partnership will support the implementation of pilot projects in the industry, showcasing the feasibility and benefits of hydrogen adoption. Additionally, efforts will be made to facilitate the development of hydrogen industrial clusters and value chains.
This partnership is set to leverage the vast network of knowledge, expertise, and resources of Hydrogen Europe, enabling UNIDO to access the latest developments, applications, and experiences related to hydrogen. Simultaneously, Hydrogen Europe will have the opportunity to collaborate on clean hydrogen projects in developing countries, contributing to the global transition towards sustainable and clean energy solutions.
Both UNIDO and Hydrogen Europe are confident that this collaboration formalized through the signing of the Joint Declaration, will harvest significant benefits for the industry and society at large.
“The collaboration between UNIDO and Hydrogen Europe represents a significant milestone in our shared mission to drive the global deployment of clean hydrogen for energy, economic, and social development. Together, we are positioned to make a global impact and drive transformative change towards a sustainable future,” said Petra Schwager, Chief of Climate & Technology Partnership Division, UNIDO
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, added “The partnership between UNIDO and Hydrogen Europe marks a fruitful cooperation to promote the deployment of hydrogen at global scale as a means of energy, economic and social development, propelling us towards a more sustainable future. Together, we will orchestrate knowledge, expertise, and resources, harmonizing clean hydrogen technologies uptake and enhancing interconnected value chains, for global impact and transformative change.”
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/unido-hydrogen-europe-ink-partnership-advancing-h2-collaboration/
NorskHydro produces world’s first aluminum with green H2
15 June 2023
Norsk Hydro ASA has made the world’s first batch of aluminum using green hydrogen in a step toward decarbonizing the production of the metal.
The Norwegian producer replaced natural gas with green hydrogen during a test at its extrusion plant in Navarra, Spain, it said in a statement on Thursday. Hydro’s renewable hydrogen company, Hydro Havrand, conducted the trial in partnership with Fives North America Combustion, an engineering firm with expertise in hydrogen burner technology.
For more than a century, Hydro has been searching for new uses for the vast amounts of hydroelectric power that Norway generates each year. The company first found success making artificial fertilizers via a pioneering electrochemical process, and later focused its attention on aluminum, which is one of the world’s most energy-intensive industrial commodities to make. Now, it’s betting that hydrogen could prove even more lucrative.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/norskhydro-produces-worlds-first-aluminum-with-green-h2/
Daimler presents Mercedes eCitaro fuel cell
6June 2023
Daimler Buses presented its first serial electric bus with a fuel cell as a range extender at the presentation of the eCitaro fuel cell at the Global Public Transport Summit. The start of the series production of the eCitaro fuel cell coincides with the trade fair premiere.
Daimler Buses already provided the first key data on the drive of the new eCitaro variant at the end of May, when it was announced that the eCitaro fuel cell will combine Mercedes-Benz’s third-generation lithium-ion batteries with a fuel cell as a range extender. As a solo bus, the model receives three battery packs with a combined capacity of 294 kWh. As an articulated bus, there are three or four packs with a cumulative capacity of up to 392 kWh. In both cases, the fuel cell has an output of 60 kW and comes from Toyota.
Daimler Buses gives a range of up to 350 kilometres for the articulated range-extender bus and up to 400 kilometres for the solo bus. In view of these ranges, the eCitaro fuel cell is not designed for intermediate charging on the route, but for pure depot charging via plug with up to 150 kW. It is “the ideal addition for transport companies with an existing battery-electric fleet that want to operate their long routes without having to recharge and without having to put on additional buses”. Of course, a hydrogen source is also needed to use the range extender.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/daimler-presents-mercedes-ecitaro-fuel-cell/
ENVI revision of Industrial Emissions Directive exempts 50MW electrolysers
24 May 2023
Today, the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee adopted its report on the revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which aims to regulate air, soil, and water pollution of industrial plants.
In an important achievement for hydrogen, the committee has recognised that electrolysis-based hydrogen production must be distinguished from high emission industrial processes. However, the report only exempts electrolyser plants with a hydrogen capacity of below 50 MW electricity input, even though the size of the plant does not affect its emission profile.
“Exempting electrolysers of a certain size from the Industrial Emissions Directive follows the same approach adopted by the Council back in March. Yet, the Council’s 60 tonne per day hydrogen production threshold allows the exclusion of larger plants. Electrolysers lack the emissions profile to justify their inclusion in the IED. Maintaining this inclusion will impose unnecessary requirements on the permitting procedures for electrolysers, delaying their deployment and thus undermining the REPowerEU strategy and the Net-Zero Industry Act,” said Daniel Fraile, Chief Policy Officer at Hydrogen Europe.
Hydrogen Europe hopes the co-legislators can progress the file through trialogues, aligning the IED with the REPowerEU and the Net-Zero Industry Act’s approach of accelerating permitting rules for hydrogen production by fully excluding electrolysers from the scope of the IED.
Austria’s first green H2 production plant goes live
12 May 2023
Austria’s first green hydrogen production site has commenced operations in Styria, marking the beginning of a comprehensive plan to expand the electrolysis capacity in the mountainous province to over 150 MW in an initial push.
The pilot plant located in the Gabersdorf municipality features a 1-MW electrolyser powered by a nearby solar park with a collector area of 6,000 sq m (7,176 sq yd). When fully expanded, the site is expected to produce 300 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually.
The first off-taker of the output is industrial company Wolfram Bergbau und Huetten AG, a subsidiary of Sandvik Group, which will procure 70 tonnes of the output to reduce the use of natural gas at its metallurgical plant in St. Martin im Sulmtal, Styria.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/austrias-first-green-h2-production-plant-goes-live/
RWE installs “battolyser”
10 May 2023
Delft University of Technology spin-off Battolyser Systems has installed its first industrial-scale Battolyser at RWE’s Magnum power plant in the Netherlands.
The Magnum power plant will use the hydrogen produced by the Battolyser system to cool its generators.
The project was realised thanks to a grant from the Wadden Fund and the consortium partners Vattenfall, Orsted, Yara, BASF and Pronton Ventures.
RWE joined the consortium when the power plant was acquired from Vattenfall.
A Battolyser is a combination of a battery and an electrolyser in one device.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/rwe-installs-battolyser/
Fraunhofer ISE produces H2 with seawater
2 May 2023
Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a technical concept and design for a hydrogen generation plant optimized for use at sea. The “OffsH2ore” project aims to define a technically and economically optimized design for an integrated offshore hydrogen production plant using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, including the transport of the compressed hydrogen gas to land.
The power supply for the electrolysis comes from an offshore wind farm directly connected to a 500 MW electrolysis platform. The platform can produce up to 50,000 tons of green hydrogen per year. Fresh water for the PEM electrolyser is obtained by desalinating seawater using residual heat from electrolysis.
The produced hydrogen is purified and dried, compressed to 500 bar, and transferred to a transport vessel that can carry up to 400 tons of hydrogen from the platform to the mainland. This concept is independent of the hydrogen transport pipeline and offers flexibility in the choice of location.
https://hydrogeneurope.eu/fraunhofer-ise-produces-h2-with-seawater/
European Hydrogen Week: 20-24 November 2023
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership, Hydrogen Europe, Hydrogen Europe Research and the European Commission have teamed up to bring the entire hydrogen sector in one place for a whole week of conferences, exhibition and networking opportunities.
In addition to the well-established policy sessions, it will feature the sixth edition of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership Awards, celebrating the best innovation, success story, project outreach and, including a prize for European Hydrogen Valleys.
https://euagenda.eu/events/2023/11/20/save-the-date-european-hydrogen-week-20-24-november-2023
The Hydrogen Stream: EU to launch 2nd green hydrogen auction in spring
As the European Union launches the first pilot auction this week, it also announces it will double down in spring, while also supporting a collaboration with Brazil for the construction of a production facility to be used in Croatia.
NOVEMBER 21, 2023
The European Union is launching this week the first auction of the European Hydrogen Bank, backed by €800 million in European funding.“In Spring 2024, we will launch the second round of auctions, reaching a total value of three billion euros,” added the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. The Commission already authorised over €17 billion in State Aid for around 80 hydrogen projects across the EU. It has signed hydrogen partnerships with countries ranging from Egypt, Kenya and Namibia, to Latin American countries.“Together with President Lula of Brazil, we are announcing the European Union’s support to build one of the biggest hydrogen projects in the world, in the Brazilian State of Piaui.” The European executive is also holding talks with Kazakhstan, Australia and Oman.
Clean Energy Associates (CEA) said it expects a 143% increase in electrolyzer capacity over the next two years. CEA’s Hydrogen Electrolyzer Supplier Market Intelligence Report (H1 2023) states that China, Europe, and the United States will lead in growth. Alkaline remains dominant, with Enapter offering the Anion Exchange Member technology. The report highlights Bloom Energy’s dominance in Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell electrolyzers. “Only one supplier, Enapter, currently offers the Anion Exchange Member (AEM) technology,” said CEA, adding that few suppliers offer multiple technologies.
Enexis said the first homes in the Dutch village of Wagenborgen have been connected to a newly developed hydrogen network. In the coming weeks, 33 homes in the 1970s neighborhood will transition from natural gas to green hydrogen through the grid. “We are learning here how to distribute hydrogen safely through existing gas pipelines. We are doing that with low and high pressure to learn how that works for homes and industry. If we succeed here, we succeed everywhere,” said Bram Gerrist, director innovation for Enexis, the Dutch grid operator. Essent, a Dutch unit of E.ON, has signed the first hydrogen contracts to supply hydrogen to residents.
Eneco has submitted its planning application to build a green hydrogen production plant in Rotterdam’s Europoort industrial area, next to the Enecogen power station in Europoort. “This location means the two facilities can share some infrastructure, which has advantages with regards to costs and realization time,” said Eneco, adding that it is working with Mitsubishi. The plant should “have acapacity of eventually 800 megawatts.” It could produce up to 80 kilotons of hydrogen per year. Construction is expected to start in 2026, and the hydrogen plant is scheduled to begin operating in 2029. RWE has signed an agreement with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, a subsidiary of Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group, to cooperate in offshore wind and green hydrogen projects in South Korea and other parts of the world. The partnership aims to combine Hyundai’s hydrogen expertise from its first South Korean electrolysis plant with RWE’s knowledge across the entire value chain for future green hydrogen projects, contingent on favorable market conditions, said RWE.
The UK government has revealed plans to launch a hydrogen industry taskforce, in partnership with the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative and Innovate UK. Additionally, a GBP 960 million ($1.2 billion) investment in the Green Industries Growth Accelerator was announced to support the expansion of clean energy supply chains, including carbon capture, utilization and storage, electricity networks, hydrogen, nuclear, and offshore wind. The funding, available from 2025 for five years, will come into effect after the General Election, said the Hydrogen Energy Association.
Evonik has signed a license agreement with Fuhua to build a new hydrogen peroxide plant in Leshan, China’s Sichuan province, using the know-how of the German chemicals company. The collaboration will evaluate the joint production and marketing of specialty grades of hydrogen peroxide to meet the rising demand in the Chinese market. Fuhua plans to construct an industrial-grade hydrogen peroxide plant with an annual capacity of 200 kilotons.
Honda showcases next generation fuel cell system prototype at 2023 European Hydrogen Week
21 November 2023
Honda is showcasing a prototype of its next-generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Module, jointly developed with GM, at the 2023 European Hydrogen Week as a further demonstration of the steps being taken to achieve carbon neutrality across all global operations by 2050.
On display at the Brussels Expo from 20-24 November, the compact, powerful system has been designed to offer exceptional durability and versatility across a variety of uses—including within fuel cell vehicles (FCEV), commercial vehicles, construction machinery, and in stationary power stations.
Honda is currently working with a number of companies, who are developing products in the outlined application areas, to aide with the packaging phase and integration of the fuel cell system in development programs. This is in anticipation of commercial sales of the fuel cell system commencing by the mid-2020s.
Considering the unique characteristics of hydrogen, the fuel cell system is expected to be particularly effective as a power source for heavily used large-size mobility products and large-scales infrastructure, as well as for mobility products that require quick refuelling where it is difficult to be powered by batteries. Based on these characteristics, Honda has identified four core domains for the utilization of its fuel cell system in across both transportation and industry sectors.
FCEVs and commercial vehicles. Honda is planning to begins sales of the all-new CR-V FCEV model in North American and Japan in 2024.
Honda will also invest significantly in the development of clean, low-noise, low-vibration fuel cell solutions for heavy-duty commercial vehicle applications. This expansion is a response to the pressing need of the global haulage, freight, and logistics sectors to find sustainable powertrain technologies capable of transporting heavy cargo over long distances.
In May this year, Isuzu Motors appointed Honda Motor as a fuel cell system development and supply partner for the commercial launch of heavy-duty trucks. The two companies are currently planning to start demonstration testing of a prototype model on public roads before the end of the current fiscal year (ending 31 March 2024) and intend to introduce a production model to the market in 2027 by fully leveraging the technology, experience and knowledge gained through the joint research.
Stationary power stations. The power requirements of data centers have grown rapidly with the expansion of cloud computing and large data processing, while the demand for backup power sources has also increased as companies implement more robust business continuity planning (BCP). To meet these needs, Honda is aiming to apply its fuel cell technology to the static power generation sector where it can offer a clean and quiet backup power source.
Construction machinery. Honda will work with the construction industry to help develop hydrogen solutions for construction machinery. The company will also contribute to the development of zero emissions construction machinery by applying its fuel cell systems to excavators and wheel loaders, before exploring further opportunities in the sector.
Honda’s fuel cell technology and activities utilizing hydrogen. Honda has been conducting research and development of hydrogen technologies and FCEVs for more than 30 years. In 2002 it launched the Honda FCX—the first zero-emission FCEV on lease sale in the US and Japan. Further advancements were made with the Honda FCX Clarity, which was introduced in 2008 and the five-passenger sedan Clarity Fuel Cell in 2016, which could both offer the same performance as conventional vehicles.
The breath of Honda’s hydrogen activities extends beyond its products. In Europe, Honda R&D Europe (Deutschland) has established a green hydrogen production facility at its base in Offenbach, Germany to broadening the scope into the area of energy management. This latest installation will harness surplus solar energy from photovoltaic arrays to make green hydrogen through electrolysis.
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2023/11/20231121-honda.html