Energy companies RWE and innogy are starting a feasibility study to build an up to 100 MW hydrogen plant on the site of RWE’s Eemshaven power station. The site is located near innogy’s Westereems Wind Farm. The wind farm will be supllying green energy for the potential future hydrogen plant.
The study is a first step in a research into large-scale production of green hydrogen in the province of Groningen. Green hydrogen can contribute to a reduction in CO2-emission in industrial processes and could become a sustainable fuel for the transport sector, or for residential heating in the region.
“RWE and innogy focus on climate friendly technologies. The CO2 reduction targets in transport, heat supply and industry can only be achieved if the sector coupling is promoted and emission-free energy sources are used. We are convinced that green hydrogen will be an important component of a secured and clean energy supply for these sectors. This is why we start this project in line with similar projects in Germany like GET H2 in Lingen,” explains Roger Miesen, Dutch CEO of RWE Generation SE.
Hydrogen can play an important role in a successful energy transition. To make it green, electrolysis based on renewable energies is indispensable as it will be used to split up water to produce green hydrogen. With 52 turbines, Westereems Wind Farm is currently one of the largest onshore wind farms (> 100 MW) in the Netherlands.
“With the current Dutch offshore wind ambitions, conversion of large volumes of surplus wind power into a storable commodity like green hydrogen can be a cost effective solution for society, large energy consumers and other industrial users of hydrogen. As a major player in offshore and onshore wind we believe we can better start investigating power-to-hydrogen as one technical solution of power-to-X right now than waiting. Learning experiences are necessary therefore and our Westereems Wind Farm can provide a perfect fit for a large scale demonstration project,” explains Hans Bünting, COO Renewables of innogy SE.
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The Eemshaven power station in addition produces demineralised water that can be used for the conversion. In addition, electricity from biomass can also contribute to the production of green hydrogen when there is no wind. The combination makes it an interesting location for a hydrogen plant.
In the coming months, RWE and innogy will first work out the feasibility of the hydrogen plant itself, in collaboration with other partners in the chain and with the regional and national authorities. Currently, the processes still require research and development. In addition, the regulatory framework has to be adapted since under current regulation the technology is not competitive yet. The first findings will be expected in the autumn. Source: innogy
