[ project development ]
Artist ’ s impression of the VoltH2 electrolyser project in Vlissingen , the Netherlands , planned to become operational in 2025
Hydrogen development is crucial for storage and transportation of renewables
Two major challenges are hiding behind the investments in green energy production . They arise from the fact that ( variable ) renewables are often produced at the wrong time and place . Therefore , the development of both storage and transportation capacity is crucial . Sweco shares lessons learned from the first large-scale project developments with VoltH2 .
By Bert van Renselaar , Business Director Energy Transition , Sweco
On the shores of the Western Scheldt , one of four major port areas in the Netherlands , the first large-scale electrolyser projects in the Benelux are being developed . On behalf of green hydrogen developer VoltH2 , Sweco has designed and permitted two 25 MW electrolyser projects in Vlissingen and Terneuzen . At the two planned hydrogen production plants , green hydrogen will be generated with electricity from offshore wind energy and supplied to local filling stations via the integration of hydrogen storage . Due to its design , the green hydrogen factories will be expandable to 100 MW , with a potential production of approximately 15 million kg of green hydrogen per year .
In this article the lessons learned from the first projects are shared on design , permitting and project development . The projects designed by Sweco are characterized by their complex situations , in which the electrolysers are connected to other assets like solar farms or small heat plants .
Design – improving the business case
The design of hydrogen production installations starts with the idea for a total concept . Because the business case for hydrogen is still difficult to calculate , it is important to find as many sources of income as possible . The options discussed below sometimes turned out to be possible and sometimes not .
20 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 7 | December 2022