The Dutch Energy Agency ECN, voestalpine, Siemens, VERBUND, Austrian Power Grid (APG) and K1-MET have received Horizon2020 funding through the FCH JU program to construct and test one of the world’s largest electrolysis plants for producing green hydrogen. The plant will be built and operated on the premises of voestalpine in Linz, Austria and the hydrogen produced will be used directly as a raw material in steel production and steel processing.

One of the largest and most modern electrolysers with proton exchange membrane technology will produce hydrogen for industrial use and for balancing services on the power reserve market. The total project volume amounts to about 18 million EUR over the course of 4.5 years.

The technology supplier for the proton exchange membrane electrolyser is Siemens. VERBUND will provide electricity from renewable energy sources and is responsible for development of grid-relevant services. ECN is responsible for the scientific analysis of the demonstration operation and the transferability to other industrial sectors. Austrian transmission system operator APG will provide support in integrating the plant into the power reserve markets. The competence centre K1-MET will support plant operations and investigate possible applications beyond the steel sector.

Rob Kreiter, Programme Manager System Integration at ECN says ECN sees hydrogen from electrolysis as a key enabler for the decarbonisation of industry and transport, and the extensive integration of renewable energy in the energy system: “The Netherlands have a large energy intensive industry and also high ambitions for large-scale offshore wind power. Therefore, introduction of cost-competitive electrolysers in steel, refinery and fertilizer industry are at the core of ECN’s R&D activities. Hence our involvement in the H2Future project.