- Sustainable generation of hydrogen for industrial applications
Air Liquide, a French gas firm, has formally unveiled a facility in Oberhausen for generating hydrogen without emissions. This setup, known as an electrolyzer, splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using wind power. The plant has a production capacity of 20 megawatts, capable of churning out around 2,900 metric tons of hydrogen annually, as per the company's announcement.
The construction budget for this electrolyzer amounted to 45 million euros
This facility was constructed within a chemical complex and hooked up to an existing hydrogen pipeline belonging to Air Liquide. "The location in the industrious core of the Ruhr region makes it easy to cater to large-scale hydrogen consumers," the company stated. Air Liquide collaborated with energy technology manufacturer Siemens Energy in designing the "Trailblazer" electrolyzer, which cost approximately 45 million euros.
Hydrogen is a crucial ingredient, particularly in the chemical sector. In the foreseeable future, it is anticipated to be widely used in steel production. Its climate-friendly production aims to minimize significant quantities of carbon dioxide in this sector. Germany's prominent steel producer, Thyssenkrupp, intends to establish a steel plant in nearby Duisburg that necessitates about 143,000 tons of green hydrogen yearly.
"Integration with an existing hydrogen network will hasten the carbon emission reduction in major industries in North Rhine-Westphalia and stimulate low-carbon mobility in this densely populated area," commented Gilles Le Van, chairman of the Air Liquide Germany supervisory board.
Capacity expansion on the horizon
In a subsequent stage, Air Liquide plans to boost the output capacity of its Oberhausen plant to 30 megawatts. Additionally, the firm is considering constructing other facilities, like a 120 megawatt plant in Marl, North Rhine-Westphalia. As per its own reports, Air Liquide currently is developing a 200 megawatt electrolyzer in Normandy.
The Trailblazer electrolyzer, a collaboration between Air Liquide and Siemens Energy, was specifically built in Germany, demonstrating Air Liquide's commitment to the country. With Germany's prominent steel producer, Thyssenkrupp, aiming to establish a steel plant in Duisburg that requires significant amounts of green hydrogen, the expansion of Air Liquide's capacity in Oberhausen becomes even more crucial.
