Europe’s largest electrolyzer unveiled, can produce 8,000 tons of hydrogen annually
Europe’s largest electrolyzer unveiled, can produce 8,000 tons of hydrogen annually
The 54MW PEM electrolyzer will produce up to one metric ton of hydrogen every hour, supporting BASF’s chemical production with reduced emissions.
Chemicals giant BASF announced that they have implemented Europe’s largest green hydrogen project to reduce carbon emissions.
Built with Siemens Energy, the 54MW PEM electrolyzer’s design enables it to supply the main plant with up to “one metric ton of this substantial chemical feedstock every hour,” according to BASF’s news release.
Described as “truly unique,” 72 stacks, or modules in which the electrolysis takes place, have been integrated into the production and infrastructure at the Ludwigshafen site. It is the largest project of its kind in Germany to date, making it an important pioneer as the industry strives to achieve climate targets. The emission-free water electrolyzer could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 72,000 metric tons annually.
A big step forward for hydrogen production
As Germany’s largest proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, it uses electricity from renewable sources to produce hydrogen free of emissions. The hydrogen is then “fed into the site’s hydrogen Verbund network and distributed to the production facilities as a raw material,” BASF’s press release explains.
The robust machine would primarily provide feedstock for chemical products, as demand is increasing for more output and less environmental waste. Currently, hydrogen is used to produce ammonia, methanol, and vitamins.
Additionally, BASF will,Supply hydrogen for mobility in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, supporting the development of a hydrogen economy in the area.
As Katja Scharpwinkel, member of BASF SE’s Board of Executive Directors and Site Director Ludwigshafen said,
The commissioning of the electrolyzer makes it possible for us to support our customers in achieving their climate targets by offering them products with a lower carbon footprint.
She continued,
At the same time,
“we are gaining experience at our largest Verbund site with the integration and operation of a system that brings us another step closer to transforming our main plant in Ludwigshafen. We welcome the fact that the federal government and state government have recognized the importance of this technology and provided us with significant support toward the project’s implementation.”
The State of Rhineland-Palatinate and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provided up to €124.3 million for the plant’s construction.
Its 54MW PEM electrolyzer will generate 8,000 tonnes (8,818 tons) of hydrogen annually, replacing grey hydrogen.
Net zero emissions: the goal
Katrin Eder, Rhineland-Palatinate’s State Minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, and Mobility said.
BASF has embarked on an ambitious path to net zero,
“In addition to progressively increasing its generation of electricity and process heat from renewable energies, the company also plans to use renewable raw materials as alternatives to the fossil energy sources currently employed, such as natural gas. Designed to produce green hydrogen as a raw material, the new electrolyzer at the Ludwigshafen location represents an important milestone and supports the achievement of Rhineland-Palatinate’s climate protection targets.”
Udo Philipp, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, added,
A flagship project for the integration of hydrogen into a chemical production site has become a reality at the Ludwigshafen site.
“Through this collaboration, BASF is demonstrating what decarbonization of the industrial sector can look like in practice and inspiring further technological progress.”
Source: Hydrogencentral