Key progress during the 1st period of the project includes:
• This first project period has seen key progress made particularly in the Work Package 2, focused on the development and design of the demonstrator. Most notably Lhyfe, with the support of WP participants, has produced and submitted a D2.4 the Basis of Design report which outlines the basic requirements and boundary conditions for the demonstrator project. It is used as a baseline for the design of the plant and all equipment associated.
• On this basis the onshore and offshore layouts of the two sites have been defined and the technical characteristics of the equipment and its installation are being finalised with Plug Power, Alfa Laval and Strohm. This has enabled partners to prepare for the specification and procurement of equipment and materials which will start in the next project period.
• In parallel, Lhyfe and POM have worked to plan, and then operate the permitting process for the whole project. A range of permits are required to cover the onshore site construction, the hydrogen transportation, the cables, and the environmental impact assessment. The first 12 months of the project have been dedicated to the preparation of the permits applications which have will be submitted this summer 2024.
• Lhyfe, along with EDP, has also progressed on the definition of the business model for the demonstrator, the renewable electricity sourcing and the securing of hydrogen offtakes contracts. A preliminary business plan has been produced on this basis.
• The first project period also saw the definition of the cross-cutting activities frameworks. The collaboration between partners and as a Consortium has been established well through different communication channels: in-person and online General Assembly meetings, monthly reports, bilateral meetings and discussions. DWR has led the definition of the project’s communication strategy and created its visual identity and website.
Key progress during the 2nd period of the project includes:
While detailed description of the activities realised during this second period are described in each Work Package (WP) section, the key activities carried out during this time are summarised below:
• Significant progress was made during the second project period, particularly in the WP 2, which focuses on the development and design of the demonstrator. Most notably, Lhyfe with the support of WP participants, submitted applications for three different permits (environmental, onshore and high-voltage subsea cable) and sent additional details for the hydrogen pipeline permit application. These submissions are important milestones for the project planning.
• On this basis the onshore and offshore layouts of the two sites have been defined, and the technical characteristics of the equipment and its installation have been finalised with Plug Power, Alfa Laval and Strohm. This progress has enabled partners to confirm the specifications necessary to prepare the procurement phase.
• Lhyfe has also progressed on the definition of the business model for the demonstrator, the renewable electricity sourcing done with EDP and the securing of hydrogen offtake contracts. A preliminary business plan has been drawn up based on these developments.
• The very good collaboration between partners and within the consortium continued during this second period through different communication channels: in-person General Assembly meetings, bilateral meetings and discussions.
• Due to important discussions and delays regarding already awarded complementary subsidy, the overall progress of the project has slowed down, having direct impacts on FID which has been repeatedly postponed, and on procurement activities. No major purchase orders or commercial terms could be finalised, without a mutual agreement within the consortium to begin incurring project-related expenditures.
