The PosHYdon project, which aims to produce green hydrogen on an operational gas platform in the Dutch North Sea, has successfully completed the onshore testing phase and is now ready for the next phase – testing offshore.
PosHYdon announced today that the equipment, including electrolyser, has moved (see video) from its onshore testing location InVesta Alkmaar to the Neptune Energy-operated Q13a-A platform, 13km offshore Scheveningen.
This milestone also marks the completion of a successful onshore testing phase, thanks to the collaboration of all 15 consortium partners. For the first time all components were integrated. This crucial step helps avoid costly challenges during offshore execution.
Offshore testing
Now on the Q13a-A offshore platform, the electrolyser faces challenging offshore conditions like saltwater, and severe weather conditions. The partners aim to test whether hydrogen production from fluctuating offshore wind power—whether in strong or weak winds—can operate effectively. Observing how the system responds to these fluctuations will be key to ensuring success under varying conditions.
It will be the first time three energy systems will be integrated in the Dutch North Sea: offshore wind, offshore gas and offshore hydrogen. The green hydrogen will be blended with the gas and transported to the coast via the existing gas pipeline.
Large-scale offshore hydrogen production is said to be within reach by 2030-2035. The 15 consortium partners are gathering crucial insights to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness for future hydrogen installations.
PosHYdon partners
The PosHYdon consortium comprises 15 public and private organisations: Nel Hydrogen, InVesta, Hatenboer, Iv-Offshore & Energy, Emerson, Nexstep, TNO, Neptune Energy Netherlands (Eni), Gasunie, Noordgastransport, NOGAT, DEME, TAQA, Eneco and EBN.
Partners in the Q13a-A platform: Neptune Energy (operator and 50%), EBN B.V. (40%) and TAQA Offshore B.V. (10%). Source: PosHYdon
