Siemens, Shell, and TenneT have proposed a new tendering model for offshore wind power in Germany which would be used to produce hydrogen.
The model is based on a study by the consulting firm E-Bridge, which was commissioned by the three companies.
The study suggests that the new tendering model would make way for additional 900MW of offshore wind capacity, coupled with hydrogen production, to be built between 2026 and 2030.
The additional capacity would be built in areas not considered for regular offshore wind power generation, with pilot tenders possible as early as 2022.
The electricity generated at sea would be transported ashore by the offshore grid to ensure centralized and coordinated planning of the system. On land, the wind power would be used to generate hydrogen. The necessary electrolysis plants would be connected to the extra-high voltage grid on land.
The green hydrogen would be transported via the gas network. It could then be used in other sectors, such as industry or the mobility sector.
The additional wind power would not burden the onshore power grid too much and would be used to generate hydrogen and thus stabilize the power grid, the companies said.
Dr. Thomas Zengerly , Chairman of the Board of Management of Deutsche Shell Holding GmbH, said: “Hydrogen electrolysis facilitates the use of electricity from renewable energy sources, contributes to the stability of the power grid and produces hydrogen of a quality needed for use in, for example, the mobility and industrial sectors. It is thus a very important building block for the cross-sectoral energy transition. “