Provaris Energy is advancing works on its proprietary H2Neo hydrogen carrier and hydrogen cargo containment system and has now engaged classification society DNV to issue a front-end engineering design (FEED) statement.
Last summer, Provaris kicked off the program for the construction and testing of the hydrogen prototype tank in Norway, The company selected Prodtex AS to construct the prototype hydrogen tank and SINTEF to perform the prototype testing and reporting.
After raising $1.9 million , construction and testing of the prototype tank is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024 with completion expected by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
DNV and Povaris will work together to qualify the H2Neo design and hydrogen containment tanks. The H2Neo carrier received FEED design approval in December 2022, with final approval for construction subject to the completion of a prototype of the proprietary containment tank design being constructed and tested to the satisfaction of Class requirements.
Provaris’ Chief Technical Executive Officer, Per Roed , commented: “The Prototype testing program is an exciting phase of our technical and H2Neo approvals program. We continue to see an increasing demand for safe and cost-effective solutions to store and transport gaseous compressed hydrogen, and to be able to validate our proprietary solution through Prototype testing can be a game changer to unlocking a significant market opportunity. Our focus has been to establish a strong team of contributors and partners on this journey, and the engagement of DNV will further strengthen the N2Neo Class approval.”
DNV’s Global Business Director Gas Carriers, Martin Cartwright , added: “Transporting hydrogen securely and efficiently is going to be one of the linchpins of the energy transition. To make sure that this market can really take off, we need to draw on the lessons we have learned from other fuels and build from a sound technical foundation. This is why we are very pleased to be working with Provaris, bringing DNV’s experience, expertise, and cooperative spirit to help them deliver this innovative concept.”
Subject to the successful completion of the prototype tank, the production and sale of tanks could provide Provaris with an early revenue and cash-generating business in late calendar year 2024.
The company noted that discussions are underway with various European industrial partners regarding their hydrogen storage requirements.
At the end of 2023, Provaris signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with German energy company Uniper to evaluate the supply of green hydrogen to Germany using its compressed hydrogen carriers.