The NorthH2 Projektgesellschaft, Deutsche Offshore-Testfeld- und Infrastruktur- (DOTI), and Stiftung Offshore-Windenergie have signed a letter of intent to develop a 10 MW offshore electrolysis demonstrator at the Alpha Ventus wind farm in the German North Sea.
This project is part of NorthH2's "Northsea Hydrogen" initiative, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of producing hydrogen directly at sea.
The demonstrator will utilise an existing prototype wind turbine foundation and power the proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser with electricity from the wind farm. Seawater will be desalinated using the waste heat from electrolysis, then split into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will be stored and potentially used to generate electricity during low wind periods. Options for on-site hydrogen use are being explored, although current production volumes are too small for cost-effective offshore transport. Future connection to the AquaDuctus pipeline will allow hydrogen to be integrated into the onshore network.
This project will provide critical insights for the commercial operation of offshore electrolysers and offer a testing platform for industry and research partners under real conditions, facilitating the development of regulatory frameworks.
