Austria’s first off-site production plant for “green” hydrogen has opened in the municipality of Gabersdorf.
The project is a model of Energie Steiermark with an investment of EUR 10.5 million. The facility has a large-scale photovoltaic system with a collector area of 6,000 m², an electrolyser for the production of green hydrogen, a trailer filling system, and a methanation unit. The plant is capable of producing up to 300 tons of green hydrogen annually, which can save up to 5,200 tons of CO2 emissions every year. The industrial company Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG, a subsidiary of the Sandvik Group, has signed up as the plant’s first major customer, taking on around 70 tons of green hydrogen per year for its energy processes.
The opening of the plant is a significant milestone for Austria’s efforts towards clean energy. The plant’s green hydrogen production process relies on renewable energy sources, making it a crucial part of the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. This project has the potential to spur further hydrogen projects and help Austria reach its climate goals.
Green hydrogen is an essential part of the global efforts to combat climate change, as it can replace fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. Unlike grey hydrogen, which is produced using natural gas and emits CO2, green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources like wind and solar, making it a zero-emission energy source.
The Gabersdorf plant demonstrates Austria’s commitment to developing its green hydrogen industry and supporting clean energy innovation. The plant’s capacity for 300 tons of green hydrogen production is relatively small, but it is an important start towards scaling up production and advancing the use of hydrogen as a fuel source. With the growing demand for renewable energy, the plant is well-positioned to attract new customers and investors interested in reducing their carbon footprint.
Despite the potential benefits of green hydrogen, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. One of the main challenges is the high cost of producing green hydrogen compared to other energy sources. However, the cost of green hydrogen is expected to decrease as technology improves and production scales up.
