At the Hydrohub MegaWatt Test Centre on the Entrance site of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Hanze) in Groningen, the first green hydrogen has been produced under high pressure and at high temperatures. The parties involved aim to develop more efficient and large-scale electrolysis technology in this way.
Entrance is a so-called Centre of Expertise Energy, and is part of the Hanze. It trains energy professionals and develops ideas into solutions. In doing so, it pools its knowledge and expertise with companies, researchers, students, knowledge institutions and governments.
Testing electrolysis on an industrial scale
At the Hydrohub MegaWatt Test Centre, Entrance is testing electrolysis on an industrial scale and aims to bring innovations from the lab into practice. In recent years, Entrance has built a facility that meets European safety requirements and is equipped with various testing capabilities. So now this facility is producing green hydrogen for the first time.
Electrolysis is a process in which electricity splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. If green electricity from solar or wind energy is used for this purpose, we speak of green hydrogen. This form of hydrogen is seen as an important raw material for producing green products and reducing CO2 emissions from chemical companies.
An important condition for this, however, is that the price of green hydrogen becomes more competitive with the price of hydrogen produced from natural gas. At the test centre, researchers are experimenting with electrolysis under different conditions, such as varying current, higher temperatures and increased pressure.
Reducing energy demand
"By producing hydrogen at higher pressure and temperature, energy requirements can be reduced," explains Andreas ten Cate, programme director of ISPT. For instance, the electrolysis process is more efficient at higher temperatures. Thanks to the high pressure, it can even take place above 100 degrees without boiling the system.
An additional advantage is that fewer compressors are needed to pressurise the hydrogen for delivery to customers. In practice, this can translate into significant energy savings for industry. Research into the optimum balance between pressure, temperature and efficiency is being carried out at the test centre.
Innovation and cooperation in the hydrogen chain
The test centre has two electrolysers with a capacity of up to 250 kilowatts: an alkaline electrolyser and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser. The alkaline electrolyser is very similar to a standard industrial plant. It is used not only for research, but also for training and education. The PEM electrolyser was developed by TNO. It has a flexible Balance-of-Plant and is suitable for testing new components, among other things.
Both systems are set up at Entrance. This party provides the necessary infrastructure and personnel for the daily use of the electrolysers. Partners and companies wishing to contribute to the hydrogen transition can apply at the test centre.
"I am proud that with our co-financing we have been able to contribute to the realisation of this important facility. This undoubtedly accelerates the development of robust large-scale electrolysers," concludes Rob Kreiter, director of TKI Energy & Industry.
