Siemens Energy has secured a contract to provide a 280-megawatt electrolysis system to German utility EWE. This system will form the core of a green hydrogen production plant in Emden, set to become operational in 2027. The plant aims to produce up to 26,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, which will be used for various industrial applications in the region. This initiative could potentially avoid up to 800,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, particularly in the steel industry.
The electrolysis plant is a key component of EWE's "Clean Hydrogen Coastline" project, comprising four sub-projects. Besides the electrolyzer, the facility will include compressors and cooling systems, consuming an average of 320 megawatts of power over its lifetime. Siemens Energy and EWE have also agreed on a ten-year service contract for the electrolyzer.
This project has been designated as a strategic funding measure by the German government and the European Commission, classified as an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI). The funding decision was recently handed over to EWE at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, and with the contract signing, EWE and Siemens Energy are set to begin implementation.
Anne-Laure de Chammard, Member of the Executive Board of Siemens Energy, highlighted the project's significance in advancing the green hydrogen industry in Germany, noting the importance of the funding commitments from the German government. EWE CEO Stefan Dohler expressed confidence in Siemens Energy, citing their long-standing partnership and emphasizing EWE's comprehensive approach to the hydrogen value chain, from production to storage.
The Siemens Energy electrolyzer uses PEM technology, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen via a proton exchange membrane, making it well-suited for renewable energy sources due to its flexible ramp-up times. The electrolyzer stacks will be manufactured at Siemens Energy's gigawatt factory in Berlin.
Source: energycentral.com