In order to achieve the goals of the energy transition, Germany must find ways to make green electricity storable. Using a new approach, wind power in the sea is to be converted directly into hydrogen. The ambitious goal is 50,000 tons of green hydrogen per year.
Das Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE und seine Partner haben im Projekt „OffsH2ore“ ein Konzept für die Erzeugung von Wasserstoff direkt auf dem Meer entwickelt. Laut Fraunhofer ISE ist die Herstellung von Wasserstoff durch Elektrolyse mit Offshore-Windenergie technisch und wirtschaftlich umsetzbar. Im Rahmen des Projekts wurde nicht nur die Technik für die Wasserstofferzeugung durch Elektrolyse entwickelt, sondern auch ein Konzept, um den verdichteten, gasförmigen Wasserstoff an Land zu transportieren.
Transport ships instead of pipelines
The concept is based on an offshore wind farm directly connected to a 500 MW electrolysis platform. According to the Solarserver website, this should be able to produce up to 50,000 tons of green hydrogen per year. The hydrogen produced is cleaned and dried, compressed to up to 500 bar and loaded onto a transport ship. Up to 400 tons of hydrogen are brought ashore from the offshore platform per transport. Since no pipelines are required, the choice of location is flexible.
Hydrogen production at sea enables high operating hours and could cover the entire value chain nationally. The fresh water for the electrolyser is obtained by desalination of seawater. The energy for this comes from the waste heat from the electrolysis. The concept should serve as a starting point for the development of pilot and large-scale projects and the development of corresponding regulations. This involves wind farms in the order of 500 MW that already exist in reality.
Why hydrogen?
Germany must convert its energy system to renewable energies in order to achieve climate protection goals. Hydrogen will be an important energy carrier in this system, since it can also be used in areas where direct use of electricity is not possible. Offshore wind energy is seen as promising for green hydrogen production as it enables stable power generation. It is an important contribution to achieving the goals of the national hydrogen strategy.
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