Offshore research facility undergoing trials in Bremerhaven
Bremerhaven, Germany, is set to become a pioneer in offshore green hydrogen production with the launch of an innovative platform designed as an integrated green hydrogen ecosystem. This groundbreaking project, closely linked to offshore and onshore wind energy resources, promises to revolutionise the way we generate, store, and distribute hydrogen.
## Design
At the heart of the platform is a wind-to-hydrogen integration system, harnessing electricity generated from nearby offshore and onshore wind farms to power the electrolysis process. The proximity to wind resources is crucial, enabling direct use of renewable energy and minimising transmission losses.
The core of the platform is a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, renowned for its efficiency and suitability for variable renewable energy sources like wind. The electrolyzer can be modular and scalable, supporting industrial-scale hydrogen production.
The system is optimised for installation on preassembled skids, allowing for efficient deployment and maintenance. The platform is also designed to be expandable, with modules that can be combined to increase total hydrogen production capacity as needed. Advanced wind measurement technologies, such as the Dual Doppler Wind Radar, are employed to optimise wind farm operation and ensure consistent energy supply for hydrogen production.
## Functionality
The platform’s primary function is to produce hydrogen through water electrolysis using electricity from renewable sources. This hydrogen is considered "green" because it is generated without carbon emissions.
The hydrogen produced is supplied to local filling stations and industries in Bremerhaven, supporting green mobility (such as hydrogen-powered vehicles) and other industrial applications. The modular nature of the electrolyzer system allows for flexible scaling to meet increasing demand and to integrate additional wind energy capacity as it becomes available.
The platform also serves as a research hub, with participation from industry and scientific partners such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, to advance offshore hydrogen production technologies and improve wind-to-hydrogen integration.
## Storage and Transportation
Pipe-based hydrogen storage is another key aspect of the platform's design. The pressure in the pipelines can be used to store hydrogen, providing additional capacity and saving costs. Hydrogen can also be transported as a derivative, such as ammonia, which can then be split again later. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) suggests using pipelines for hydrogen transportation and storage.
The test facility in Bremerhaven initially aims to produce one barrel per day, approximately 130 liters. If the process is successful, the daily production could be up to 15,000 liters or more.
The platform is a high-sea-capable ponton, 60 meters by 15 meters, carrying containers for individual production steps.
This integrated approach positions Bremerhaven as a front-runner in offshore green hydrogen production, leveraging advanced electrolysis and wind energy technologies to create a sustainable and scalable hydrogen supply chain.
- The integrated green hydrogen ecosystem in Bremerhaven, Germany, is centered around a wind-to-hydrogen integration system, which utilizes electricity from offshore and onshore wind farms to power the electrolysis process, specifically through a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer.
- The hydrogen produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy is classified as 'green' and will be supplied to local filling stations and industries, contributing to green mobility and various industrial applications.
- To advance offshore hydrogen production technologies and improve wind-to-hydrogen integration, the platform serves as a research hub, with collaboration from industry and scientific partners such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES.
- Pipe-based hydrogen storage is a critical component of the platform's design, allowing for the storage of hydrogen under pressure, which can provide additional capacity and cost savings, and enabling the future transportation of hydrogen as a derivative like ammonia.
