Production and use of hydrogen in Norway is being scaled up
– This is a huge step in the direction of climate-neutral maritime transport for Norway and sends a strong signal to industry and transport that green change is not something we are talking about, it is something that is happening now and scaling up at an ever faster pace. We will reach a scale where industry and transport both on land and on water can incorporate this in the business plans for their companies already in this decade, says SINTEF’s CEO Alexandra Bech Gjørv.
From laboratories to large-scale development
SINTEF has worked closely with the industry for a number of years and created the basis for the rollout and commercialization. In recent years, the focus has been on market implementation based on a large portfolio of research and innovation projects funded by the EU that have run along the entire value chain from concept and material selection in the laboratories to large-scale development.
On 23 June, Enova announced that they support hydrogen projects in the Norwegian maritime sector with as much as NOK 1.12 billion, of which NOK 669 million will be used to build five production plants for renewable hydrogen.
SINTEF with contributions in Hitra, Rørvik and Glomfjord
TrønderEnergi and Statkraft have been awarded NOK 113 million in support of a hydrogen hub at Hitra. Through a joint venture, the companies will establish a facility for hydrogen production and bunkering in Hitra Industrial Park and Coastal Harbor on Jøsnøya in Hitra municipality. According to the companies’ press releases, a possible investment decision will take place around the last six months of 2023.
SINTEF’s contributions have been to provide a knowledge base for dimensioning the plant, discuss various technology choices in the production chain and have helped to estimate investment and operating costs of such a plant, as well as to assess the potential for heat and oxygen utilization for a hydrogen plant at Hitra.
– The hydrogen hub at Hitra is very important for realizing and absolutely necessary energy transition for the maritime sector, says Frode Rømo, research manager for industrial economics and optimization at SINTEF.
In Rørvik, NTE and H2 Marine partners who, together with several players, will realize a production facility that will supply hydrogen to a wide range of vessels. Already in 2025, the production plant, which can deliver at 8.4 tonnes per day, is ready on Kråkøya outside Rørvik. The project receives NOK 125.7 million in support from Enova. Here, too, SINTEF has an advisory role and has assisted with technical calculations.
– In addition to a strong project group led by NTE Energy and H2 Marine, the collaboration with Nærøysund municipality and other local actors in Rørvik has been crucial to get to Hydrogen hub Rørvik, says senior researcher Sigrid Lædre.
Also suitable for land transport, construction and industry
Glomfjord Hydrogen has for several years worked purposefully towards starting up new hydrogen production in Glomfjord. They are owned by Greenstat, NEL, Meløy Energi and Troms kraft. Industribygda has long historical experience with hydrogen production for use in fertilizer production, but the old factory was closed down in 1993 when natural gas replaced hydrogen in ammonia production. After seeing a growing opportunity for hydrogen for the maritime sector, the transport sector and for construction, they have set out the possibilities to start up again. The project has received a commitment of as much as NOK 150 million in public support from Enova.
With the government’s decision that the Vestfjord ferry between Bodø and Moskenes will be operated on hydrogen, it will be necessary for hydrogen production in the region to be further updated.
Here everything is ready for newly established industry with available hydropower, industrial site with Yara as the nearest neighbor. Hydrogen customers will have the main emphasis in maritime use, but land transport, construction and industrial use are also relevant market areas.
– SINTEF has worked with Glomfjord Hydrogen to develop this application, and looks forward to contributing as expert advisors during the project we are now working on, says researcher Camilla Sommerseth.