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Offshore wind energy offers one of the greatest potentials for green hydrogen production. Indeed, the direct production of green hydrogen in offshore wind power plants allows a considerable cost reduction compared to its production on land.
With this in mind, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has included the H2 Mare pilot project in its national hydrogen strategy.
Initiatives for offshore hydrogen production are emerging in all European countries and particularly in Germany. Indeed, to support Germany’s entry into the hydrogen economy, the German Ministry of Education and Research has set up 3 flagship hydrogen projects. Among them, the H2 Mare pilot project to research the possibilities of producing hydrogen and its derivatives directly at sea using wind turbines.
- The H2Mare pilot project
Led by a consortium of 33 industrial and scientific partners and coordinated by Siemens Energy, this project aims to investigate the possibilities of offshore production of green hydrogen and other power-to-X products without grid connection.
To achieve this, the H2Mare project partners want to integrate the water electrolyser directly into the offshore wind turbines. This process would not release any CO2, only water and oxygen.
However, this new device, unique in the world, requires a rethinking of the entire wind farm. A new type of wind turbine and a different foundation from the one used previously will be required to integrate the electrolyser directly into the structure.
Similarly, the electrolyser installed in the wind turbines will be redesigned to be more compact and to operate almost autonomously in extreme conditions at sea.
- Offshore wind: an advantageous environment
Offshore wind energy has many advantages for the production of green hydrogen :
- Greater production potential: There is much more usable space for green hydrogen production in the open ocean than on land.
- A larger and more consistent amount of electricity than their onshore counterparts: the average power rating of onshore wind turbines is about 3.5 megawatts, compared to 5 megawatts for offshore systems.
- The direct coupling of the wind turbine and the electrolyser : allows to minimize the costs of the hydrogen production. Indeed, without connection to the electrical network, the infrastructure costs can be considerably reduced.
- An unlimited amount of water available: to the electrolysis process. Wind farms could even operate without being connected to the grid.
- Perspectives and innovations
If successful, this innovative technology could create new export opportunities for Germany.
Indeed, the many advantages of offshore production would allow the direct generation of hydrogen by-products such as methanol or green ammonia, using power-to-X technology.
To achieve this, new technologies are being developed, in particular the electrolysis of steam and sea water.
A real gas pedal for the development of the hydrogen industry, the production of green hydrogen at sea is one of the most promising solutions for a 100% renewable energy mix.
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