A Siemens Gamesa pilot project in Denmark has produced its first green hydrogen as part of the testing and commissioning phase.
Earlier this summer, the Danish authorities granted Siemens Gamesa’s Brande Hydrogen test site status as official regulatory test zone, allowing activities to operate outside the existing electricity regulations.
This has enabled research into how to develop an island-mode capable system of offshore hydrogen production at turbine level.
The Brande Hydrogen setup couples an existing onshore Siemens Gamesa 3.0-113 DD wind turbine with an electrolyser stack from partner Green Hydrogen Systems.
Siemens Gamesa is also using the Brande Hydrogen site to explore whether integrating new battery technology as an upgrade to the co-located turbine and electrolyser can contribute to grid stability and help address issues around the variability of wind.
The combination has the potential to expand the output of existing wind projects.
Batteries can store energy in a way that allows electrolysers to run for longer and produce more green hydrogen, the company said.
If there is a grid connection, the batteries can distribute the renewable energy to the grid rather than the electrolyser when conditions allow, easing bottlenecks and providing flexibility.
The battery, turbine and electrolyser setup has the potential to enable the production of industrial-scale volumes of green hydrogen in the near term.
Innovations and learnings from the Brande Hydrogen test site will be shared with partners to build use cases for larger-scale green hydrogen production.
Project partner Everfuel, will now distribute it to hydrogen stations in Denmark.
This will enable a growing number of zero emission vehicles, such as fuel cell taxis, to operate on a 100% green fuel supply.
Siemens Gamesa chief innovation officer for service Poul Skjærbæk said: “There is no way around green hydrogen.
“It is a game changer in the quest to decarbonize the power supply and solve the climate crisis.
“Our hydrogen-producing wind turbine is an example of the innovative projects that will help shape the emerging clean-fuel market and accelerate the green energy transition as we integrate unprecedented amounts of renewable energy into the energy system.
“We are very proud to have reached yet another milestone in making this vision a reality – getting our first 100% green hydrogen out to the consumers.”
Everfuel chief executive Jacob Krogsgaard added: “We are pleased to showcase the entire hydrogen value chain, from renewable energy production to the distribution, with our own high-capacity hydrogen trailers and delivery to our fueling stations.
“Distributing 100% green hydrogen fuel from Brande is a significant milestone for Everfuel, and we are proud to be the first to offtake green hydrogen in island mode from wind energy.
“The project in Brande is more than just the production of green hydrogen.
“It symbolizes the beginning of the Danish hydrogen adventure, which will help decarbonize our society and fight climate change.”