[ad_1]
In an exclusive, Reuters reports that Siemens Gamesa and Siemens Energy will develop commercial offshore wind turbines capable of producing hydrogen by electrolysis. “This is the renewable energy industry’s most concrete plan to date to capitalize on an expected boom in hydrogen demand.”
Siemens Energy owns 67% of Siemens Gamesa, the world’s largest manufacturer of offshore wind turbines. The two companies are investing 120 million euros ($ 146 million) in the project. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, in which renewable energy sources – in this case, offshore wind – split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Siemens Gamesa CEO Andreas Nauen said [via Reuters]:
We have to completely re-equip the turbine, which was designed for power generation.
We’re looking at our 14 megawatt turbine, which will be our bread and butter product by the mid-2020s.
From the mid-2020s, they plan to target large industries such as steelmakers and chemical companies that need to decarbonize as part of Europe’s efforts to meet Paris Agreement goals.
They see Germany, which borders the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, as the location of a first commercial project of around 100 to 200 megawatts. Customers will need to be close to the source of green hydrogen production – offshore wind turbines – as the hydrogen will be transported by pipelines.
The German government announced today that it will contribute 700 million euros to support three of the companies’ model projects by 2025. Germany plans to become a world leader in hydrogen. It earmarked 9 billion euros for the launch of a national hydrogen industry.
Christian Bruch, Managing Director of Siemens Energy, said [via Reuters]:
It’s really about developing a commercially viable product.
I don’t know of any other company that combines wind power, electrolysis and high voltage offshore technology in one company.
Hydrogen is a key topic, but there is no quick fix here.
“Although most projects across the continent are in the pilot stage, the EU estimates that investments in green hydrogen in Europe could reach € 470 billion by 2050 and create up to 1 million ‘jobs,’ writes Reuters.
Photo: Siemens Games
FTC: We use automatic income generating affiliate links. More.
Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.
[ad_2]
Source link