The heart of this achievement is a high-temperature solid oxide electrolyser (SOEC) developed by Sunfire. This innovative technology boasts an impressive output of 250 kilowatts (kW). Installed within an overseas container, this SOEC has the capacity to produce approximately 170 kilograms of hydrogen per day at full load. To put this into perspective, the daily production could power a car equipped with a fuel cell engine for a staggering 17,000 kilometers.
However, it’s crucial to note that the hydrogen generated by this 250-kW plant in Lingen is dedicated to research purposes. Specifically, it will be channeled into a 130-meter-long test line (loop) as part of the GET H2 TransHyDE research project. This ambitious initiative brings together companies and research institutes to develop technologies that optimize hydrogen utilization.
Sopna Sury, the Chief Operating Officer of Hydrogen at RWE Generation, underscored the importance of this achievement, stating, “With the commissioning of this first electrolyser, RWE has officially started to produce hydrogen in Lingen. These 250 kilowatts of electrolysis capacity for the GET H2 TransHyDE research project are an important first step for us, and it will quickly be followed by others. In a few months, our 14-megawatt pilot electrolyser at the Lingen plant, our first one that will produce hydrogen on an industrial scale, will also go into operation.”
Germany’s Hydrogen Vision
Germany has set ambitious goals to become a global leader in hydrogen technologies. To achieve this vision, a robust domestic market is essential, where technology providers and customers collaborate to advance the sector. Sunfire, in partnership with RWE, is validating the next generation of electrolysers using high-temperature SOEC electrolysis. In parallel, they are constructing an industrial-scale pressurized alkaline electrolyser in Lingen, furthering their commitment to advancing hydrogen technology.
Nils Aldag, CEO of Sunfire, emphasized the collaborative aspect, stating, “This is how we are gathering experience and developing standards together.”
The journey doesn’t stop with this achievement. In the coming weeks, a piston compressor will be introduced alongside the 250-kW electrolyser. This addition will enable the compression of hydrogen to the required 58-bar pressure for pipeline transport. The first tests on the TransHyDE test pipeline are scheduled to commence at the beginning of 2024.
The GET H2 TransHyDE project involves a consortium of prominent companies and research institutions. Partners include Adlares, Evonik, Meter-Q Solutions, Nowega, OGE, Rosen, and RWE, alongside the DVGW Research Unit at the Engler-Bunte Institute of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the University of Potsdam. Together, they are focused on researching the infrastructure needed for green hydrogen in public spaces.
The project encompasses a range of activities, including investigating methods to measure the quality and quantity of hydrogen, optimizing compressor concepts, assessing the impact of hydrogen on materials, developing technologies for remote leakage detection, and enhancing pipeline inspection and maintenance procedures.
The GET H2 TransHyDE project is part of the German hydrogen lead projects funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Its aim is to advance the implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy. The Ministry’s commitment to the project is substantial, providing funding of 11.63 million euros to support this crucial endeavor.
As Germany continues to pave the way for a hydrogen-powered future, achievements like the successful hydrogen production from Sunfire’s electrolyser in the GET H2 TransHyDE project are pivotal. They not only mark significant milestones but also demonstrate the nation’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy solutions. These efforts solidify Germany’s position as a global leader in the hydrogen revolution.
