In an exclusive interview, Reuters informs that Siemens Gamesa and Siemens Energy will develop commercial offshore wind turbines that can produce hydrogen through electrolysis. “It is the most concrete plan in the renewable energy industry so far to capitalize on an expected increase in hydrogen demand.”
Siemens Energy owns 67% of Siemens Gamesa, the world’s largest manufacturer of offshore wind turbines. The two companies are investing € 120 million ($ 146 million) in the project. Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, in which renewable energy sources – in this case, offshore wind – divide water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Siemens Gamesa Chief Executive Andreas Nauen said [via Reuters]:
We have to completely refit the turbine, which was designed for the production of electricity.
We are looking at our 14 megawatt turbine, which will be our basic product in mid-2020.
Beginning in the mid-2020s, they plan to target large industries, such as steel and chemical companies that need to decarbonize as part of Europe’s efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
They are considering Germany, which borders the North and Baltic seas, as the location for a first commercial project of about 100-200 megawatts in size. Customers will need to be close to the source of green hydrogen production – offshore wind turbines – as the hydrogen will be transported through pipelines.
The German government said today that it will contribute € 700 million to support three of the companies’ model projects by 2025. Germany plans to become a global leader in hydrogen. Allocated € 9 billion to launch a national hydrogen industry.
Christian Bruch, chief executive of Siemens Energy, said [via Reuters]:
It is really about developing a commercially viable product.
I don’t know of any other company that combines wind energy, electrolysis and high voltage offshore technology in one company.
Hydrogen is an important topic, but there is no magic solution here.
“Although most projects across the continent are in a pilot stage, the EU estimates that investments in green hydrogen in Europe could reach € 470 billion by 2050 and create up to 1 million jobs,” writes Reuters.
Photo: Siemens Gamesa
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