German engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions and Austrian technology group ANDRITZ Hydro have agreed to cooperate on the production of green hydrogen from hydropower.
The companies plan to launch an initial joint pilot project before the end of 2021.
This project will provide about 650 tonnes of green hydrogen by using an electrolysis output of up to four megawatts, initially for local use.
In follow-up hydrogen export projects, the installed electrolysis output is expected to increase to up to 100 megawatts in the coming years.
The companies also want to jointly identify further projects and implement them in the context of the German Federal Government’s H2 Global initiative, a market-based funding platform.
Through H-TEC SYSTEMS, the electrolysis specialist owned by MAN Energy Solutions, the company offers PEM electrolysis technology.
CEO of ANDRITZ Hydro in Germany Frank Mette said: “Hydropower is one of the few completely climate-neutral forms of energy, which is capable of providing base load power. We, therefore, see excellent potential for worldwide expansion – in new construction projects just as much as in repowering. By adding the possibility of producing hydrogen to hydropower plants, we are taking the next step and also making the energy generated there ready for export and storage without restriction. Together with MAN Energy Solutions, we can open up new markets and opportunities for the operators.”
CEO of MAN Energy Solutions Uwe Lauber added: “The economy of the future will be climate-neutral, and to achieve this it needs huge quantities of green hydrogen. Together with ANDRITZ Hydro, we want to make this resource available. Hydropower plants are ideal for generating hydrogen in a completely climate-neutral, reliable and cost-effective manner.”