German partners have come together to collaborate on an offshore electrolyser demonstration project at the Alpha Ventus offshore wind farm off Germany.
NorthH2 Projektgesellschaft mbH (NorthH2), Deutsche Offshore-Testfeld und Infrastruktur-GmbH & Co. KG (DOTI) and the Offshore-Windenergie Foundation have signed a letter of intent to work together on the construction of a 10MW offshore electrolyser demonstrator.
The scheme is part of the Northsea Hydrogen project pipeline developed by NorthH2 and it aims to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of hydrogen production directly at sea and to test the required components.
In the future, green hydrogen is to serve as a sustainable energy source and contribute to the decarbonisation of various industries.
For the demonstrator, a foundation of a prototype wind turbine will be used.
The power from Alpha Ventus will supply the proton exchange membrane electrolyser which will use desalinated seawater powered by waste heat generated during electrolysis.
Once the wate is split into hydrogen and oxygen in the unit, the hydrogen will be stored.
During low wind, reconversion into electricity will occur and will be tested.
Options for using the fuel produced directly at sea are being investigated.
As soon as the “AquaDuctus” pipeline contained in the hydrogen core network connects the North Sea with the onshore pipeline network, the demonstrator can be connected and the gas can be fed into the grid.
This project is intended to gain important insights in order to be able to operate offshore electrolysers commercially at sea at a later date.
An important part of the scheme is to provide a platform for industrial partners and research, as well as accompanying ecological research, to test and optimise systems and components under real conditions.
The project development and implementation should also offer the authorities involved the opportunity to establish the necessary regulatory framework for specifications and approval of offshore electrolysis projects.
NorthH2 managing director Andreas Wellbrock said: “The 10MW offshore electrolysis demonstrator is a crucial step towards enabling the production of green hydrogen directly at sea.
“This will help us to significantly increase the efficiency and sustainability of hydrogen production while avoiding the challenges of grid connectivity.”