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Alkaline water electrolysis is one of the most mature processes for hydrogen production. Compared to PEM electrolysis, it has long been considered rather inflexible. Asahi Kasei has succeeded in adapting it to operation with renewable energies, which is characterized by fluctuating loads and frequent load changes. This could significantly reduce the levelized cost of hydrogen.
The VDMA opposes a weakening of climate targets. Managing Director Thilo Brodtmann instead calls for better research funding for climate protection technologies. The mechanical and plant engineering sector sees itself as a key supplier – also with Power-to-X solutions.
The eFuel Alliance has presented a position paper that classifies electricity-based fuels as a security-relevant factor for Europe. The association calls for practical production rules, binding sub-quotas, and the crediting of investments towards the NATO spending target.
At the North Sea Summit in Hamburg BDEW and AquaVentus are calling for stronger European cooperation in offshore wind expansion—and for the systematic integration of offshore electrolysis into national and regional planning. Studies show that lower spatial density, cross-border area cooperation and combined infrastructure solutions can significantly reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Fraunhofer IEG has commissioned a pilot plant in the city of Zittau, Germany, that for the first time feeds waste heat from a PEM electrolyzer into a district heating network using a heat pump. The aim is to improve the economic efficiency of hydrogen production.
The municipality of Bosbüll in North Frisia is expanding its district heating network. In the future, process heat from local hydrogen production will also be fed into the system. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025.
Intercontinental Energy, a global developer of large-scale green hydrogen projects, has unveiled a patented system called P2(H2)Node. Developed in Australia, the technology aims to reduce the production costs of green hydrogen by 10 to 20 percent, thereby accelerating the widespread adoption of this energy carrier.
A joint application for EU funding shall help more than 50 partners to develop the Rhein-Ruhr region into Europe’s leading hydrogen region. The consortium plans, among other things, 77 MW of electrolysis capacity and the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure for commercial vehicles.
