Uniper, Orsted ink strategic partnership
German utility Uniper and Danish wind developer Orsted are working together in the form of a strategic partnership to generate hydrogen from offshore wind, they said September 20.
Both "have ambitious visions in the area of decarbonising industry to achieve German climate targets," Uniper said. Power transmission system operator Tennet has said it will support plans to transport wind-power from sea to land, with the hydrogen being generated at Uniper's planned Wilhelmshaven site.
|
Advertisement: The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) NGC’s HSSE strategy is reflective and supportive of the organisational vision to become a leader in the global energy business. |
Explaining the partnership, Uniper said: "Germany and Europe must remain strong industrial locations – and at the same time achieve the ambitious climate protection targets. For this, we need 'green electrons' and 'green molecules'.... By integrating offshore wind and hydrogen, we can significantly support industries such as the chemical, steel or transport sectors in their decarbonisation."
Orsted said Germany, as an industrial location, needs much more green electricity than previously planned. Working with Uniper, the two would help Germany achieve its climate targets.
Tennet said electrolysis had to take place where renewables are generated and available in sufficient quantities, which is primarily on the coasts.
Uniper hopes to have a 70-MW electrolysis plant installed at Wilhelmshaven from 2025, to be expanded to 410 MW by 2030. The direct conversion of renewable electricity into green hydrogen means that any power grid bottlenecks can be avoided.
In addition, Uniper and Orsted are investigating CO2-free alternatives for stabilising power grids, as well as green solutions for industrial customers with a high level of supply security – even when there is no wind.