Before a hydrogen project can start construction, there is already a huge amount of design, engineering, and project management work that goes into it— doubly so when the project is new and groundbreaking! This is exactly what HOPE’s consortium members have been working on since the project kicked off in July 2023. With a 10 MW scale and the ambitious target to produce up to 4 tonnes of green hydrogen per day at sea by 2026, every piece of this project must be carefully thought out to ensure maximum performance, smooth operations, and scalability for future development. Now, a year into the project, we’d like to showcase what each consortium partner has contributed so far.
LHYFE
In addition to coordinating the project, Lhyfe’s team is involved with all aspects of the site development, design, and engineering of the 10 MW demonstrator. What does that mean in practice?
- First, Lhyfe is working closely with authorities and power providers to secure grid connections and source 100% renewable electricity for operations— ensuring that the hydrogen is produced carbon-free.
- At the local level, Lhyfe’s Belgian team is helping to coordinate the permitting process, including performing the necessary studies to meet the highest environmental and safety standards.
- With support from other project partners, Lhyfe is also carrying out the demonstrator design and engineering. The basis of design, including the onshore and offshore layout, water sourcing and electrical connection characterization, and basic demonstrator data, has already been completed. Now, the detailed engineering activities, including structural analysis of the offshore jack-up barge, the engineering of the subsea cable, and the design of the onshore compression and distribution facilities, are underway.
PLUG
Plug is responsible for designing and delivering the project’s 10MW proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, and for the procurement of all components and equipment needed to build the demonstrator.
- The electrolyzer will be the first of its size to be deployed in an offshore environment, and is ideally suited for use with offshore wind and other dynamic energy sources due to its ability to operate at high current densities.
- In addition to the main production components (subsea cable, high-power compressor, etc.) and construction materials, Plug is also securing a jack-up barge previously used for offshore oil or gas production— a proof case for the reuse of oil & gas infrastructure in the clean energy transition.
EDP NEW
As an energy utility, EDP is supporting Lhyfe with identification of suitable renewable energy sources, including the assessment of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) pricing. As the project progresses, EDP NEW will help assess its scalability and replicability for future large-scale offshore hydrogen production concepts, with the aim of making substantial progress toward the EU’s 10Mt hydrogen production target.
- Characterization and definition of use cases for two large-scale concepts of 100+ megawatts have already begun. For both, EDP NEW will identify future use cases and collect the relevant data for pre-feasibility studies.
POM WEST-VLAANDEREN
With close ties to Ostend and expertise in the development of West Flanders’ blue economy, POM is guiding the permitting coordination process with local authorities, engaging regional stakeholders, and supporting the on-site design process to maximize benefits for the local community.
CEA
Engineering an offshore project means special consideration is needed to the harsh marine environment. CEA is responsible for selecting and testing appropriate equipment, such as sensors, to monitor environmental parameters involved in the corrosion process, to prevent degradation and ensure proper functioning throughout the demonstrator’s lifespan. They will monitor and analyze the impacts of the offshore environment on performance for the full duration of the project, alongside developing a simulation of the production plant to compare forecast and real-world data.
STROHM
Strohm is responsible for the engineering, manufacturing, and delivery of the pipeline to transport hydrogen from the offshore demonstrator to the onshore processing and transport facilities. Made of Strohm’s unique thermoplastic composite material, the pipeline remains durable and flexible in subsea conditions and enables up to 10x more energy to be transmitted than an equivalent cable.
ALFA LAVAL
Access to large quantities of deionized water is a key advantage of producing green hydrogen offshore, but the seawater must be desalinated and deionized first.
Alfa Laval is designing and delivering the seawater treatment system, an energy-efficient and compact unit that uses waste heat from the electrolyser cooling to demineralize and deionize the seawater.
ERM
ERM’s Paris team acts as a project management support to Lhyfe, the coordinator. They ensure that communication between the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the consortium members runs smoothly, that project timelines are followed, and that the necessary reporting processes are carried out correctly.
DWR ECO
DWR eco is in charge of project communications— including this website and this post! We work together with the communication teams from all consortium members to develop the project’s visual identity and communications materials, show how the project is progressing, coordinate press activities and event appearances, and more.
As work is completed behind the scenes and the start of construction gets closer, we look forward to sharing more updates about the project and the development of green hydrogen production in Europe.