The three key recommendations were announced as it concluded learnings from its Brande R&D prototype, which features a 3MW turbine connected to a 400kW electrolyser for making green hydrogen.
“Overall, the project has set out what it meant to achieve – produce green hydrogen using an electrolyzer with the option of being powered directly by a wind turbine, and then find an offtaker to use the green hydrogen,” according to a recently published white paper.
“It has offered insight into how to handle and operate a hydrogen facility, develop procedures and processes while building experience which we will benefit from in upcoming projects.”
Today, Brande Hydrogen is producing green hydrogen, using an electrolyser which can be powered by the grid or directly from an onshore wind turbine, with the hydrogen used as fuel for some of Copenhagen’s taxi fleet.
“While the size of the Brande prototype is modest, the learnings and takeaways will be relevant as the size, ambition and scope of green hydrogen projects increase,” it states.
The paper also notes the time-to-market for new electrolysers can be accelerated in the immediate term by committing to projects, encouraging competition, investment and innovation.
Each of the key requirements can only be met through a combination of internal and external forces, it states.
“Industry players are committed and are working closely with the European Union (and other jurisdictions) to ensure that regulations will encourage and support the green hydrogen revolution,” it said.
“With the right people, partnerships and backing, green hydrogen is no longer a possibility but a promise. Getting to scale, quickly and safely, is a challenge which can be met, and our experience and learnings from Brande Hydrogen provide many of the building blocks.”
Energy management systems (EMS) and control units are “fundamental” to the commercial and operational success of any green hydrogen project.
While the control unit makes all systems talk to each other on a millisecond-level to ensure their smooth and safe operation, the real added value lays in the EMS, according to the white paper.
From 2030 onwards, Siemens Gamesa anticipates the green hydrogen revolution will accelerate globally.
New use cases, validated by pilot schemes, will exist at scale, driven by the continuing reduction in the cost of green hydrogen production and the progression towards cost parity with current fossil-fuel based production methods.