Siemens Gamesa has signed a memorandum of understanding with Strohm to collaborate on the development of offshore wind-to-hydrogen infrastructure.

The partnership will focus on the advancement of hydrogen transfer solutions that will look to improve the decentralized green hydrogen concept, whereby green hydrogen is generated in each turbine generator and transported to shore by a subsea pipe.

In this concept power cables are replaced by a pipe infrastructure used for storing and transferring hydrogen.

Siemens Gamesa has a technical advisory role while Strohm will lead in its specialist design and manufacturing of thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP), which is particularly suited for transporting hydrogen offshore and subsea.

The corrosion-resistant technology of TCP does not fatigue or suffer from issues associated with using steel pipe for hydrogen, such as embrittlement, the companies said.

Strohm said that the TCP will be produced at its plant in the Netherlands and after manufacturing the pipe can be pulled directly into the wind turbine generator, quickly and cost effectively.

The company added that TCP does not require any maintenance and is suitable for over 30 years in operation which lowers the levelized cost of electricity to a minimum and enables the decentralized concept solution.

Strohm chief commercial officer Martin van Onna said: “This is a truly exciting collaboration, working with Siemens Gamesa to understand how TCP can be the missing link in an offshore wind farm, generating green hydrogen.

“The key attributes of TCP - flexibility, no corrosion or maintenance requirements - allow for the most cost-effective infrastructure on a given wind farm.

“Our proven track record with TCP offshore is a pre-requisite to be considered a solution in future green hydrogen.”

Siemens Gamesa power to X innovation manager Finn Daugaard Madsen said: “At Siemens Gamesa, we believe in the potential of green hydrogen and have been working on the decentralized concept for some years.

“Strohm has supported us through several case studies, identifying the solutions that can be readily used which complement our own systems.

“This partnership will assist us to innovate together in an open format, accelerating the availability of green hydrogen.”