Simply Blue Energy and Subsea 7 have signed a memorandum of understanding with ERM for the potential use of the ERM Dolphyn hydrogen technology at the 200MW Salamander floating wind farm off Scotland.
The project is also working closely with Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) to potentially integrate with and connect into future 100% hydrogen infrastructure or as a blend with existing gas infrastructure.
SGN is aiming to develop this through their decarbonisation roadmap.
ERM Dolphyn combines electrolysis, desalination and hydrogen production on a floating wind platform, with the hydrogen transported to shore via pipeline.
SGN is the owner and operator of the gas distribution networks in Scotland, and is currently carrying out the first phase of the North East Network and Industrial Cluster Project.
The company aims to develop and deploy a hydrogen economy in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.
Salamander has been investigating different routes to market since its inception and due to its location off Aberdeenshire the developers believe producing green hydrogen is an interesting option.
The developers said that considering the huge multi-GW potential of floating wind in the UK, pairing green hydrogen with floating wind is a sensible option and an obvious solution to scaling up green hydrogen production,
They added that the Salamander project with the ERM Dolphyn technology has the potential to make a material impact on the government’s 10-point plan, including the ambition to deliver 1GW of floating wind power by 2030 and 5GW of green hydrogen by 2030.
The proximity to St Fergus Gas Terminal, the significant interest in the energy transition in the Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City regions demonstrated by the recently announced Energy Transition Zone, as well as key flagship projects such as Aberdeen Vision make Salamander the ideal location for green hydrogen production, the companies said.
ERM aims to undertake a 10MW demonstration project, which would produce green hydrogen offshore and provide the first step needed to scale up at Salamander.
Salamander and ERM will engage in further engineering work in the coming months to assess the potential deployment of the ERM Dolphyn technology within the Salamander project.
Salamander project director Adrian de Andres said: “When we started the Salamander project, we always envisioned a stepping-stone project and a catalyser for future, bigger commercial opportunities.
“Considering the rapidly approaching 2030 deadline for the floating wind and green hydrogen targets, we now think the Salamander project could act not only as a stepping-stone for floating wind but also potentially for green hydrogen production, paving the way for multi-GW green hydrogen developments in the 2030s.
“The Salamander project is targeting a lease under the upcoming Innovation & Decarbonisation leasing process and looks forward to putting forward our ambitious green hydrogen plans to Crown Estate Scotland and Marine Scotland.
“We believe our vision very much fits with the objectives set by the Scottish Government in the Hydrogen Policy Statement as well as the decarbonisation of the North Sea.”
ERM major projects director Steve Matthews added: “We are delighted to enter into this memorandum of understanding with Simply Blue Energy and Subsea 7 for the Salamander project.
“Our ambition for ERM Dolphyn is to progress towards multi-GW, green hydrogen-producing floating wind farms over the next decade – in the UK, Europe and further afield.
“Salamander potentially provides an ideal first step for us and, with the valuable support of Government and industry, it will help position Scotland and the UK at the forefront of green hydrogen generation.”