It’s all about getting a feasibility study started. With the help of Hydron Energy, a Dutch start-up, Schaeffler aims to investigate the potential of saltwater as a raw material for electrolysis.
Electrolysis is a technique for separating saltwater into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be utilized as a long-term source of energy. Due to the rise of electric automobiles, Schaeffler anticipates demand for its auto parts to fall. As a result, it is on the lookout for a new market.
Companies aren’t looking at seawater for the first time. Vattenfall is working on a project, while the Dutch PosHYdon project is also looking at it. The fact that Schaeffler has no prior expertise with hydrogen, electrolysis equipment, or offshore operations makes this revelation all the more remarkable. It’s a significant shift for the corporation, which had previously focused on supplying parts to vehicle makers and industries.
The first phase, a feasibility study, is, of course, minor. But, if Schaeffler has his way, this will result in a huge shift in the realm of green hydrogen. Hydron Energy has developed a method for efficiently desalinating seawater, lowering the cost of green hydrogen at sea. Green hydrogen can be produced for 2 euros per kilo, according to Schaeffler.
Schaeffler plans to begin large-scale projects when the feasibility study is completed. On Texel, there is already a Hydron Energy trial project, however it produces insignificant amounts of hydrogen.
