Vattenfall has released details relating to its Hollandse Kust West (HKW) bid that would involve establishing an offshore hydrogen cluster powered by the Dutch offshore wind farm.
The project bid includes plans for three wind turbines to be equipped with electrolysers with a total electrolyser capacity of 45MW.
The hydrogen they produce will be transported via a pipeline to the Port of Rotterdam and fed into the hydrogen network there.
The hydrogen will then be transported to users via a network of pipes, in the same way as with natural gas.
Earlier this year, Vattenfall received subsidies from the Scottish government to develop the world’s first hydrogen turbine off the coast of Aberdeen.
Vattenfall wants to use HKW as a “springboard” for taking the next step and connecting multiple hydrogen turbines.
In the HKW hydrogen cluster, containers are placed on special platforms attached to the three turbines, containing electrolyser modules, transformers and batteries.
When working in tandem, these containers make it possible to convert the generated electricity in the wind turbines into hydrogen.
Vattenfall offshore wind head Catrin Jung said: “There are various plans for onshore hydrogen plants, but comparatively few for offshore production.
“Hydrogen production at the source offers clear advantages, not only in financial terms, but because it is practical.”
Jung said offshore hydrogen production can deliver green hydrogen at competitive prices, whilst easing pressure on overloaded onshore electricity grids.