Ørsted and partners secure funding for green hydrogen project

Together with partners Everfuel Europe, Nel Hydrogen, GreenHydrogen, DSV Panalpina, Hydrogen Denmark and Energinet Elsystemansvar, Ørsted has received funding of Dkr34.6M (US$5.2M) to construct a 2-MW electrolysis plant with hydrogen storage.

The funds for the H2RES project were secured from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) led by the Danish Energy Agency.

The partners in the H2RES project will use power from Ørsted’s Siemens Gamesa 3.6-MW offshore wind turbines at the Avedøre Power Station.

The facility will use electricity from offshore wind turbines to produce renewable hydrogen for buses, trucks and potentially taxis.

Daily hydrogen production is expected to be around 600 kg, enough to power 20-30 buses and test its use in trucks and taxis.

Hydrogen is widely used in heavy industry in Europe, but it is primarily produced by converting fossil fuels in a process that emits large amounts of greenhouse gases.

Hydrogen can also be produced by means of electrolysis, a process in which electricity is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. If the power used for electrolysis originates from renewable energy sources, the hydrogen produced will be renewable.

Ørsted vice president and head of hydrogen Anders Nordstrøm said, “Renewable hydrogen could form a cornerstone of Denmark’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 and of the transition to a world that runs entirely on green energy.

“Heavy road transport is one of the sectors which can be made greener by indirect electrification with hydrogen produced from renewable sources. However, renewable hydrogen is currently more expensive than hydrogen produced from gas or coal, so it is important for us to be able to demonstrate the technology and gain experience that will make it possible to scale-up the technology and make it more efficient, so that we’ll be able to produce renewable hydrogen at a price which can compete with fossil-based alternatives.”

Everfuel chief executive Jacob Krogsgaard said, “Interest in green fuel is enormous, especially in the greater Copenhagen area. Hydrogen produced from renewable energy provides the possibility to make 100% green, pollution-free fuel.

“The energy can be stored, distributed and used flexibly without the need for further substantial investment in electricity infrastructure.”

Everfuel will be responsible for distributing the renewable hydrogen, including establishing hydrogen stations for owners and operators of zero-emission vehicles.

Nel chief executive Jon André Løkke said the H2RES project will be an important step towards developing nationwide infrastructure for renewable hydrogen.