The Hybalance program started in October 2015 and ended in September 2020.
During period 1, the preliminary definition of the plant has been frozen and the PEM electrolyser manufacturing has started. The local mobility and industrial hydrogen markets targeted have been defined. A first sod event took place in Hobro in presence of the Danish minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate and the website was launched.
During period 2, the detailed design of the plant has been completed, the electrolyzer was delivered to the site and the whole plant has been constructed and commissioning has started. Furthermore a report on the stakeholders within hydrogen for mobility has been completed and contacts signed with the future customers.
During period 3, the project has achieved a remarkable milestone with the plant commissioning in the beginning of 2018 and the hydrogen production start-up. The first successful delivery of Hydrogen through tube trailers to industrial and mobility market have been performed. A pipeline has been installed to serve a local industrial customer directly from the Hybalance plant. Energinet, the Danish TSO, certified the site to provide grid balancing services. The plant was inaugurated in September 3rd 2018 and the event gathered customers and project partners as well as Danish authorities.
During period 4, HyBalance continued the increase the hydrogen production ramp-up. Tests were performed to evaluate the performance of the PEM technology and the unit in general. Energy trading and grid balancing services software were implemented and bids have been placed to assess the revenues from these services.
Finally, the project has demonstrated that :
- The PEM electrolysis technology achieves a high level of availability and efficiency : the HyBalance plant has produced 130 tons of hydrogen since its inauguration in 2018 demonstrating a high availability with more than 16 000 hours of operation and enabling 24/7 hydrogen production.
- It is possible to store electricity on a larger scale in the form of hydrogen
- Hydrogen production can help balance the electricity grid : the facility has validated the PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysis technology as highly dynamic, able to cope with fast power ramps up and downs.
- The hydrogen produced by water electrolysis can serve clean transport and industry : the plant has delivered an industrial customer connected through a pipeline in continuous mode as well as other customers across Denmark.
The results have been disseminated at Danish and European level all along the program duration via the website, press and media coverage, brochures, videos, visits at site, conference and workshops. Air Liquide will continue to operate the site and produce hydrogen to supply its customers.