Project description
Renewable hydrogen production at a steel plant
Within the EU-funded GrInHy2.0 project, a demonstration plant will showcase the hydrogen production via steam electrolysis using waste heat from an iron-and-steel factory. Project partners Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH, Sunfire GmbH, Paul Wurth S.A. Tenova SpA, and French research centre CEA are constructing and integrating the world’s most powerful high-temperature electrolyser based on solid oxide electrolysis cells for the energy-efficient production of green hydrogen. GrInHy2.0 marks the first implementation of a high-temperature electrolyser with a nominal power input of 720 kilowatt in an industrial environment. The hydrogen will be used for annealing processes as a substitute for hydrogen produced from natural gas. Furthermore, the project will provide answers on CO2 avoidance in the European steel industry.
Objective
The European Commission and its roadmap for moving towards a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050 sets greenhouse gas emissions targets for different economic sectors . One of the main challenges of transforming Europe´s economy will be the integration of highly volatile renewable energy sources (RES). Especially hydrogen produced from RES will have a major part in decarbonizing the industry, transport and energy sector – as feedstock, fuel and/or energy storage.
However, access to renewable electricity will also be a limiting factor in the future and energy efficient technologies the key. Due to a significant energy input in form of steam preferably from industrial waste heat, Steam Electrolysis (StE) based on Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) achieves outstanding electrical efficiencies of up to 84 %el,LHV. Thus, StE is a very promising technology to produce hydrogen most energy efficiently.
GrInHy2.0 will demonstrate how steam electrolysis in an industrial relevant size can:
• Be integrated into the industrial environment at an integrated iron-and-steel works with a StE unit of 720 kWAC and electrical efficiency of up to 84 %el, LHV
• Operate at least 13,000 hours with a proved availability of >95 %
• Provide a significant amount of hydrogen (18 kg/h) while meeting the high-quality standards for steel annealing processes
• Produce at least 100 tons of green hydrogen at a targeted price of 7 €/kg to substitute hydrogen based on fossil fuels
• Support the most promising Carbon Direct Avoidance (CDA) approach by substituting the reducing agent carbon by green hydrogen to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the steel production
In context with the production of green hydrogen from a steam electrolyser, the steel industry combines both hydrogen and oxygen demand – today and future – and the availability of cost-efficient waste heat from its high-temperature production processes.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.3. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.3.8.2. - Increase the energy efficiency of production of hydrogen mainly from water electrolysis and renewable sources while reducing operating and capital costs, so that the combined system of the hydrogen production and the conversion using the fuel cell system can compete with the alternatives for electricity production available on the market
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
38239 Salzgitter
Germany