Cutting carbon: What are the advantages of large-scale hydrogen production using wind-powered electrolysis?

Hamburg recently generated a big buzz with some big plans: The port city is poised to build the world’s largest hydrogen electrolysis plant, with a capacity of 100 megawatts, to the tune of hundreds of millions of euros. Should this vision become reality, it would be a big step forward for fossil-fuel alternatives.

Across the world, there is growing interest in hydrogen as a fuel of the future. However, it remains associated with high costs. But what about producing it oneself? That is exactly what Hamburg intends to do, with plans for an electrolysis plant in its harbor. By building the new facility, the Hanseatic city hopes to secure a pioneering role in greener energy.

A virtually limitless source of emission-free energy

The plant is not only ground-breaking in terms of its proposed size. Existing hydrogen production facilities have a maximum capacity of up to 10 megawatts. According to Siemens, the new Hamburg plant would be capable of generating approximately two metric tons or 22,000 cubic meters of hydrogen per hour. The hydrogen itself is not a primary energy source in the sense that e.g. natural gas is, but a secondary source, a way of storing energy – which is part of the reason the plant would make an important contribution towards a greener future. Hydrogen offers a way to store electricity generated, for example, by offshore wind parks, which had not previously been possible. Hamburg has earmarked a corresponding area near the harbor, where large factories for steel, aluminum and copper – key materials in the hydrogen production process – are located. This physical proximity could also benefit shipping and public transportation, and generate district heating for the surrounding area.

Energy-efficient and cost-efficient

A working group of ministers from Germany’s northernmost states emphasized the value that could be created by a green “hydrogen economy” in their paper on the Northern Germany Hydrogen Strategy. It would lead to new, skilled jobs, and help support economic growth and structural improvements. The city of Hamburg is hoping to receive funding from the German Federal Government and the EU. And according to ManagerMagazin,* talks with potential customers and investors are already at an advanced stage.

*German only