Hydrogen Production at Sea: Will We Produce Hydrogen Offshore?
The North Sea seems like an ideal place for producing clean wind energy. However, the generated electricity can often not be transported inland in sufficient quantities due to limited grid capacities. Storing the energy directly at the turbine in the form of hydrogen is a potential approach to address the limitations imposed by grid capacities. In this episode of the Bosch Hydrogen Expert Talk with Arno Klaassen, we delve into the possibilities of generating hydrogen offshore – examining both its technological feasibility and economic viability.
-253°C | The Bosch Hydrogen Expert Talk – Episode 4: H₂igh Seas
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In this episode, Arno Klaassen, Technology Manager Stack Predevelopment at Bosch, delves into the possibilities of generating hydrogen offshore.
The fourth episode in short
By 2050, hydrogen could become a mainstay of offshore energy production, especially in Europe, where renewable energy targets are driving large investments in green hydrogen. As technology improves and costs decrease, it’s likely we’ll see offshore hydrogen production expand significantly. Many obstacles exist today, like harsh conditions at sea and the high costs and complexity of offshore maintenance. But continued technical innovation, good collaboration and clear commercial agreements could make offshore hydrogen production feasible on a large scale.
10 GW of offshore electrolysis
Research on offshore electrolysis is essential, as the EU has set ambitious targets, with plans to reach 10 GW of offshore hydrogen capacity by 2035, led by countries like Germany and the Netherlands.¹
Where Is the Hydrogen Produced Offshore?
Placing electrolysers offshore poses unique layout challenges, especially for large-scale projects around 500 MW, requiring 400-500 individual electrolysis stacks. This setup creates substantial weight and space limitations, and different layout approaches are being explored:
Centralized Layout
Electrolysers are placed on a single large platform, simplifying maintenance but demanding a highly stable and costly structure.
Decentralized Layout
Electrolysers are distributed across smaller platforms near the wind turbines, resembling a "series production" model. This approach simplifies the construction and installation process but introduces added operational complexity.
What Are the Challenges of Offshore Hydrogen Production?
Electrolysis stacks are exposed to harsh conditions at sea. And offshore maintenance is costly and complex, as it requires specialized vessels in the neighborhood. Therefore, the electrolysis system needs to be designed particularly durable and reliable.
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Saltwater and humidity accelerate corrosion. -
Stacks face vibrations from waves and wind, which impact connections. -
Desalination processes are needed for clean water input. -
Heating is needed to prevent the stack from freezing.
¹ R. Berger; Water purification for PEM electrolysis in decentral locations; Bosch internal study, 2022.
