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Gigawatt milestone achieved in hydrogen applications

March 17, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The current project integrates photovoltaics, battery storage, and hydrogen production, underscoring Altenso’s strategic focus as a global pioneer in sustainable energy supply.
“We are proud of this gigawatt milestone and of more than 80 successfully implemented hydrogen projects, which mostly produce green hydrogen using PV and wind energy,” said Jens Eiko Birkholz, Head of Sales & Business Development from Altenso.

SMA: Olaf Heyden joins Managing Board as Chief Transformation Officer

“Our team has extensive technological expertise and years of experience in international project management. These skills are essential for successfully implementing increasingly complex projects, including offshore implementations. Overall, the projects we support enable the production of up to 130,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, actively contributing to the decarbonization of industrial processes.”

Integrated hydrogen production with PV, battery storage and power-to-gas

“In the rapidly evolving global market for hydrogen and renewable energy, stable grid integration and efficient load control are crucial,” said SMA CEO Jürgen Reinert. “With SMA’s innovative technologies providing these functions and Altenso’s well established project business, we are making a significant contribution to integrating renewable energies into the utility grid and shaping the future of energy.“

SMA Altenso celebrates ten years of renewable energy projects

For the current project on Namibia’s Atlantic coast, Altenso is not only carrying out the system integration of the battery storage system (BESS) but also serving as a power-to-gas (P2G) solution provider for integrated hydrogen production. The installation and commissioning of the PV farm and battery inverter technology were successfully completed at the end of 2024.

Grid-friendly and efficient IGBT technology

Hydrogen production is scheduled to start in the middle 2025. The rectifier solution, which was specially developed by SMA for hydrogen applications, is based on grid-friendly and efficient IGBT technology. This solution is highly flexible and compatible with various electrolyzer types, such as PEM, SOEC, or alkaline. Integrated grid services, such as fault ride-through (FRT) and dynamic reactive power support, significantly contribute to the success of the system.

MAN Energy Solutions and Quest One building demonstration plant for large-scale electrolyzer

Altenso has developed a cutting-edge energy management system (EMS) specifically for projects like this. This system optimizes sustainable hydrogen production based on PV forecasts and dynamic demand profiles. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Gigawatt milestone in hydrogen applications surpassed

March 17, 2025 ryansheehanrts

SMA: Olaf Heyden joins Managing Board as Chief Transformation Officer

Integrated hydrogen production with PV, battery storage and power-to-gas

SMA Altenso celebrates ten years of renewable energy projects

Grid-friendly and efficient IGBT technology

MAN Energy Solutions and Quest One building demonstration plant for large-scale electrolyzer

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Solar Energy

MAN Energy Solutions and Quest One building demonstration plant for large-scale electrolyzer

February 6, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Electrolyzer manufacturer Quest One has started construction of a demonstration plant for its Modular Hydrogen Platform (MHP) PEM electrolyzer in Augsburg, Germany. The electrolyzer will be installed in a test stand at the Turbocharger Performance Center (TPC) on the Augsburg site of MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES), where it will generate data in test operation for continuous optimization.

With the demonstration plant, Quest One is turning large electrolyzers into a tangible experience. Operational constraints often mean that these plants cannot be viewed while they are in use at customers’ sites. The joint project aims to change this: From mid-2025, it will be possible for potential customers as well as for project developers and EPCs to visit the demonstration plant. This will give them valuable insights into the construction phases, dimensions, inner workings and infrastructure.

Also see: Work to extend the ElyLab electrolysis test site for strategic technologies for Europe is starting

A second objective of the joint project with MAN Energy Solutions is to continuously optimize the scale of PEM electrolyzers on the base of field data and to further refine both the system operation as well as the installation and service concept.

Suited for use with renewable energy sources

“It is essential to have industrial-scale electrolyzers to meet the huge demand for green hydrogen in the future. With our new hydrogen demonstration plant we will show that the technology for industrial-scale hydrogen production already exists. In particular, our PEM electrolysis technology is perfectly suited for use with renewable energy sources and stands out with a high hydrogen quality. Prospects can now experience these advantages at our demonstration plant,” says Jürgen Klöpffer, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Quest One and member of the Executive Board of MAN Energy Solutions.

Also see: Spain – 1.5 GW green hydrogen projects of DH2 Energy in Extremadura

“Our MHP is an essential building block for decarbonizing of the industrial sector. The scalable system can be flexibly adapted to increasing hydrogen demands as the industry ramps up. The demonstration plant is an important means for us to further optimize the performance and operating parameters of the MHP. This will ensure that our products continue to produce green hydrogen in a reliable and efficient way in the future,” explains Michael Meister, COO at Quest One.

Joint project implementation

The project underlines the joint efforts of Quest One and MAN Energy Solutions to make green hydrogen a reliable fuel for the decarbonization of the industry. Through the jointly operated test stand, both partners are further expanding their knowledge and skills in the construction, project management, operation and maintenance of large-scale industrial electrolyzers. Quest One is thus also taking a further step in scaling up its own product portfolio for projects ranging from ten to several hundred megawatts of electrolysis capacity. Continuously increasing electrolysis capacity is an important prerequisite for the company’s goal of avoiding up to one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through the implementation of its products.

Also see: Norway – EnBW starts marketing process for green ammonia

Construction started at the end of 2024 with the installation of the freshwater treatment. The plant will be assembled over the course of 2025, so test operations can start by the beginning of 2026. Potential business partners will be able to already gain insights into the construction phase and visit the plant onsite in Augsburg in 2025.

Industrial-Scale hydrogen production

The MHP is currently the largest PEM electrolyzer in Quest One’s product portfolio. Its scalable modular system makes it particularly suitable for industrial production of green hydrogen. Module blocks with an output of 10 megawatts can be expanded and combined to create plants with an electrolysis capacity from 10 to several hundred megawatts. The system is optimized for easy indoor installation on preassembled skids. Each 10-megawatt block is equipped with integrated process water treatment and an electrical power supply.

Funding under the PEP.IN program

The development of the demonstration plant is being funded as part of the PEP.IN research project, a sub-project of the H2Giga hydrogen lighthouse project of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). PEP.IN is exploring new processes for the series production of PEM electrolyzers. It looks at the entire value chain from stack production to final assembly. The aim is to make green hydrogen affordable and competitive. The scope of funding particularly covers feasibility and viability studies as well as the planning of the necessary infrastructure. (hcn)

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Work to extend the ElyLab electrolysis test site for strategic technologies for Europe is starting

February 3, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The project is being funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg in the agenda set out for the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP). A budget of around € 7.6 million has been set aside for a period of three years. STEP has been set up with a view to supporting strategically important and newly emerging technologies and their respective value chains in order to strengthen the international competitiveness, security and sovereignty of the EU and to reduce relationships of dependence in critical fields of technology.

Also see: New electrolyser for industrial applications

“Our expansion of the testing infrastructure means we are shortening the development times of electrolysis technologies to a significant extent. This will strengthen the ability of our enterprises to compete,” said Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, on handing over the symbolic grant cheque on 29 January 2025 in Stuttgart. “The ElyLab will allow us to establish the conditions for future growth. This basic framework is more important than ever given the current economic situation,” added Hoffmeister-Kraut.

Electrolysis stack designs up to the multi-MW scale can be validated

Having opened the ElyLab centre, the ZSW already offers its customers the largest range of testing and innovation facilities for electrolysers in southern Germany. 10 test rigs with a power range of up to 500 kilowatts are already in operation in the ElyLab. With currents of up to 20,000 amperes, electrolysis stack designs can also be validated up to the multi-megawatt scale. The approved funding is now earmarked for new laboratory and office space, extending the test site by 400 square metres.

Also see: Spain – 1.5 GW green hydrogen projects of DH2 Energy in Extremadura

In addition to alkaline electrolysis (AEL), the range of tests on offer will also be expanded to include the process referred to as AEM electrolysis (anion exchange membrane). “The planned infrastructure expansions and the new test rigs for stack tests and component tests will almost double our testing capacity, and this will allow us to meet the constantly increasing demand,” said Dr. Marc-Simon Löffler who heads up the department of Renewable Fuels and Processes at the ZSW.

ZSW

Work on the electrolyser stack.

The aim of ElyLab is to boost innovation and to provide support for companies with the development of electrolysis products by way of test facilities and consultancy services. Water electrolysis is the key technology for the green hydrogen market of the future, holding significant opportunities for Germany as a technology hub and offering potential for global export for German enterprises.

Develop suitable accelerated ageing procedures

The rapid expansion of production capacity is essential, and there is also a need for a swift transfer of technology from scientific research to business and for quality control in the development of (upstream) products, in order to be able to achieve the ambitious expansion targets for electrolysers in Germany, Europe and worldwide. Validation procedures for materials and components right through to complete systems must be in step with actual practice in order to make internationally competitive products. Independent innovation and testing centres can make important contributions to this end.

Also see: Italy – Axpo partners for major green hydrogen project

For a successful market ramp-up, it will also be crucial to develop suitable accelerated ageing procedures. This is the only way to put in place the development cycles and quality control systems which are required as part of the product development processes in a much shorter time than has been possible hitherto and, in so doing, achieve the ambitious expansion targets for electrolysis. The test and analysis methods required for this purpose will also be refined and expanded at the ZSW in the course of the new project.(hcn)

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1.5 GW green hydrogen projects of DH2 Energy in Extremadura

December 20, 2024 ryansheehanrts

These sites, all located in the province of Badajoz, have a combined electrolysis capacity of around 1.5 GW. Overall, these plants are capable of generating more than 75,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year.

Also see: 3H2 pilot project – 1,350 kg green hydrogen per day

According to the latest survey conducted by Spanish hydrogen industry association AeH2, DH2 Energy has the largest portfolio of renewable hydrogen production facilities under development in both Spain and Extremadura.

Favourable conditions in Extremadura

“Extremadura is one of the Spanish regions with greatest potential for renewable hydrogen production because it possesses all the necessary solar and hydro resources in abundance. What’s more, there’s a willingness to encourage deployment on the part of both the regional government and the local councils in the towns where DH2 Energy is building plants”, DH2 Energy’s Managing Director, Marcos López-Brea Baquero says.

“Extremadura also has a favourable regulatory framework that includes specific legislation designed to promote renewable hydrogen. In addition, a section of the hydrogen transport network planned by Enagás will be built in Extremadura. This national infrastructure is set to give renewable hydrogen a major boost in coming years”, López-Brea Baquero underlines.

DH2 Energy

General Director of DH2 Energy, Marcos López-Brea Baquero (right), at the Green Hydrogen panel held at the Expoenergea fair, in Badajoz.

DH2 Energy’s most advanced project in development in Extremadura is Raviza, located in the municipalities of Hornachos, Puebla del Prior and Ribera del Fresno. Raviza will produce 25,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year.

Further 3 projects under development in Extremadura

DH2 Energy has a further 3 projects under development in Extremadura: Badajoz 2, which will generate around 8,500 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year, is located in Mérida; Badajoz 3, set to produce approximately 17,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year, spans the municipalities of Badajoz, Mérida and La Roca de la Sierra; and finally, the output from Badajoz 4, located solely in Badajoz, will amount to 25,000 tonnes per year.

Also see: Increase the rate of expansion for renewables in Europe by a factor 5

DH2 Energy is also the developer of one of the most advanced commercial renewable hydrogen facilities currently planned in Spain: the Hysencia 35 MW electrolysis plant, construction of which will begin in the first half of 2025. Hysencia is a pioneering initiative that won the first European auction held by the Innovation Fund financed by the European Hydrogen Bank.

Headquartered in Madrid, DH2 Energy operates on the Iberian Peninsula and in France, Mexico and Uruguay, among other markets. (hcn)

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First renewable hydrogen auction on the Iberian market started

November 25, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The process started middle of November with the publication of the documentation on the public MIBGAS website for those interested in participating in this open auction.

The auction is aimed at all companies interested in acquiring renewable hydrogen, both nationally and internationally, without restrictions on the type of application for the hydrogen. Different lots will be offered depending on the volume of supply and the duration of the contract, starting from a base price for each lot.

The first phase is the pre-qualification phase. The next phase will be the qualification stage, and subsequently, there will be another phase solely for the qualified companies to submit their bids. This final phase will be competitive. As a result, the companies that present the best offers and are selected, along with DH2 Energy, will negotiate the final agreements bilaterally, which may lead to the corresponding contracts.

49 MW PV plant with 35 MW electrolysis capacity

Participants will be able to submit bids to purchase the renewable hydrogen generated by DH2’s Hysencia plant. The plant is in Aragón and construction is expected to begin in mid-2025, with operations anticipated to commence in the first half of 2027.

Also see: DH2 Energy receives environmental permit for green hydrogen plant

The Hysencia plant, with an electrolysis capacity of 35 MW, 49 MW of photovoltaic power and 10 MW of grid connection is a pioneering initiative that was a winner in the first European auction, funded by the Innovation Fund under the umbrella of the EU Hydrogen Bank. Hysencia, which obtained integrated environmental approval this year, is one of the first commercial green hydrogen projects on the Iberian Peninsula. The renewable hydrogen produced by Hysencia will help decarbonise the industrial and mobility sectors.

Stimulate an emerging market

The chairman of MIBGAS, Raúl Yunta, is hopeful that projects like these will stimulate an emerging market essential for the decarbonisation process and energy transition. “At MIBGAS we are convinced of the potential that green hydrogen has, and projects like Hysencia are crucial to start laying the foundations for a renewable hydrogen market. We are delighted to help drive decarbonisation by developing the green hydrogen market”.

Also see: Partnership for large-scale electrolysis in Europe

For his part, the managing director of DH2 Energy, Marcos López-Brea Baquero, stated: “For the first time, the operator behind the Iberian market is launching an auction for renewable hydrogen, and it does so with the production from DH2 Energy’s Hysencia plant, which will serve as a benchmark in the sector. This auction marks a milestone for the development of renewable hydrogen, and we are confident that it will help stimulate demand and advance the establishment of a stable market for renewable hydrogen”. (hcn)

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Green hydrogen – Spain: DH2 Energy receives environmental permit for green hydrogen plant

July 30, 2024 ryansheehanrts

Hysencia thus becomes one of the few commercial renewable hydrogen production projects to have this permit in Spain and Europe.

This follows on from Hysencia being one of the winners in the first European renewable hydrogen auction last April, in which the European Commission selected only seven projects out of 132 submitted across Europe.

99 MWh solar electricity yearly to power the electrolyser

“Obtaining the Integrated Environmental Authorization represents an important milestone for the Hysencia project and DH2 Energy’s significant portfolio of projects under development. Hysencia is one of the most advanced commercial-scale renewable hydrogen production plants in Spain.

This project has a territorial vocation and will have a very positive impact in Aragon, during both the construction and operational phases for the generation of its green hydrogen as a clean energy vector” declared DH2 Energy’s Renewable Hydrogen Projects Development Director for Spain, Raquel Fernández Corzo.

DH2 Energy, headquartered in Madrid, will begin construction of the plant in early 2025. The facilities will occupy a 100-hectare site in Plasencia del Monte, in the municipality of La Sotonera, Aragon. The project uses its captive solar energy plant to produce 99 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity each year to power the electrolyser and also entails a 10 MW connection to the electricity grid.

1,700 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually

Hysencia will produce 1,700 tonnes of renewable hydrogen each year and avoid the emission of around 16,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The green hydrogen will be supplied to the mobility and industrial sectors.

Also see: Switzerland to build ten-megawatt hydrogen electrolysis plant

Hysencia’s location is effectively ideally suited for the supply of renewable hydrogen to the transport sector as it is close to different land communication axes including the Huesca-Canfranc railway line.

Region with extensive experience in the renewable hydrogen sector

The Aragon region has extensive experience in the renewable hydrogen sector, notably through its institutions and the Hydrogen Aragon Foundation, maintains a strong commitment to green hydrogen and supports its entire value chain.

The Aragon Hydrogen Foundation has also adopted a Hydrogen Master Plan, the first version of which dates from 2007. In addition, last year the region tested one of the first hydrogen pilot trains in Spain on the Huesca-Canfranc railway line. (hcn)

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Industry decarbonization – Norway: EnBW starts marketing process for green ammonia

July 26, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The plan is to make the quantities available from 2027. They can be transported to various delivery locations, such as the port of Skipavika in Norway, to selected terminals in Western Europe or to industrial sites, including in Germany. Interested companies can register online to tender for the corresponding capacities. The process starts today, Friday (July 26).

SkiGA is considered one of the first emission-free production plants for green ammonia in Europe thanks to the use of local green electricity and is thus doing important pioneering work for the realization of climate-friendly production processes in industry and the energy sector. The planned electrolyzer has a capacity of 130 megawatts. The climate-friendly production process will save around 240,000 tons of CO₂ per year compared to the use of grey ammonia.

Successful at first auction of European hydrogen bank

EnBW entered into a cooperation with its Norwegian partner FUELLA in 2023 and contributed a 10% equity stake in order to support the investment decision and secure exclusive rights to long-term purchase agreements. The importance of SkiGA’s competitive position was recently demonstrated by the European hydrogen bank’s first auction: The project was one of seven to receive a grant.

Also see: CO2 – Off to sea

Peter Heydecker, EnBW Board Member for Sustainable Generation Infrastructure, emphasizes the importance of the cooperation with FUELLA: “We are very pleased that we have found a partner in Norway in FUELLA to jointly gain important experience in the development and upscaling of a green gas infrastructure. The quantities of green ammonia secured for EnBW give us a good starting position in the market ramp-up and mark a further step on the way to a carbon-free energy supply.“

Background

Ammonia is also a means of transporting hydrogen, as it can be converted back into hydrogen using the “cracking” process. Compared to hydrogen, ammonia has the advantage that the market and logistics are already available and well established.

Also interesting: Europe`s largest green hydrogen plant operational

Ammonia is one of the most frequently produced and transported chemicals in the world. It is used in fertilizer production, as a chemical feedstock and as a low-carbon fuel.
The production of gray ammonia causes more than 1% of global CO₂ emissions. Compared to grey ammonia, green ammonia avoids 2.4 tons of CO₂ per ton of ammonia and is therefore an ideal CO₂-neutral fuel. (hcn)

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