Gen2 Energy AS, HYON AS, and ASCO Norway have sought soft finance from Enova to build the Green Artic HyHub, a hydrogen hub for marine transport in Nordland. The hydrogen hub will feature large-scale compressed hydrogen production in Mosjøen and maritime bunkering stations in Sandnessjøen and Mosjøen.
According to Norway’s Green Shipping objective, emissions in the marine industry must be halved by 2030 and nil by 2050. Two problems must be overcome in order to achieve this: the production of low-carbon fuels at competitive costs and the development of efficient bunkering technologies.
To solve these issues, Gen2 Energy, HYON, and ASCO are collaborating on a project to manufacture cost-competitive compressed green hydrogen on a big scale and make it available in Nordland to fuel a variety of boats. A bunkering network will be established between Mosjøen and Sandnessjøen ports to provide cost-competitive hydrogen to marine clients or to interchange containers aboard vessels.
Jonas Meyer, CEO of Gen2 Energy, says, “We are extremely happy to link up with ASCO and HYON, two very experienced marine fuelling and hydrogen bunkering firms.” “The three firms’ combined competence to deliver an easy-to-adapt and cost-competitive hydrogen bunkering solution has proven appealing to the maritime sector, as seen by the large number of interested off-takers in Sandnessjøen.”
Because of its strategic location, the amount of port calls each year by a range of vessel types, and the available marine transportation infrastructure, Sandnessjøen is an ideal location for building a maritime hydrogen hub.
G2E will build a compressed hydrogen production plant at the industrial site of Nesbruket in the municipality of Vefsn to produce 15,250 metric tonnes of green hydrogen per year (mt/y) and develop 20/40 foot containers that can hold hydrogen at 350 bars specifically designed for fueling or swapping purposes in the maritime sector, in collaboration with suppliers.
Because the gasoline tanks are vast and the allowable time for bunkering is limited, fast fueling is critical for marine applications. HYON specializes in supplying ships with rapid and safe hydrogen fueling options, filling a gap in the hydrogen value chain. HYON will create a fueling solution for big boats that will allow them to replenish fuel tanks with 1000 kg hydrogen in 30 minutes, which is far faster than present alternatives (80 kg in 30 minutes), which are only available for onshore transportation (i.e., trucks and vehicles).
“This project has the scale required to supply hydrogen at affordable costs to the marine sector, accelerating the transition from fossil fuel to zero-emission shipping.” In HYON, CEO Jørn Kristian Lindtvedt says, “We are happy to partner with G2E and ASCO to execute this project, which will have a high local and worldwide effect.”
ASCO offers a full range of Supply Base Services to the energy industry, with a well-established network of its own bases (including Sandnessjøen) and joint ventures throughout the Norwegian coast. ASCO will oversee the development of systems and infrastructure for secure container storage and swapping, including cranes, quays, and warehouses.
“This initiative is a wonderful fit for our expansion and investment strategy in new business sectors.” Stale Edvardsen, ASCO’s Strategy and Business Development Manager, says, “We have our own high climate objectives, and initiatives like Green Arctic HyHub underline our intentions to play a major part in ensuring that our customers and society, in general, accomplish their climate goals.”
Eight signed Letters of Intent from marine users demonstrate a significant desire to utilize the green hydrogen fueling stations once they are operational. In addition, multiple Letters of Intent for onshore applications have been linked with various local and regional transportation and industry businesses.
“The powerful mix of marine and onshore hydrogen users will boost equipment utilization, cut end-user costs, and result in a high volume of generated hydrogen per capita received,” says Gen2 Energy CEO Jonas Meyer.
