Hidroelectrica, the majority state-owned hydropower producer in Romania, is seeking a consultant to conduct a feasibility study for a 50 MW green hydrogen production plant on the Danube island of Ostrovu Mare.
Additionally, another hydrogen project has begun in Ploiesti — Lukoil has signed an agreement with Rusatom Overseas to produce and supply green hydrogen.
Hidroelectrica declared its desire to make green hydrogen by water hydrolysis, utilizing a 50MW hydrolyzer, Danube water resources, and renewable energy provided by a dedicated photovoltaic park.
The Romanian company intends to achieve a 75 percent process efficiency and to produce at least 7,500 tons of hydrogen per year. According to the business, the cost of a kilogram of hydrogen produced would be no more than EUR 4.
Hidroelectrica proposes to manufacture ultra-pure green hydrogen near the hydropower and navigation infrastructure Portile de Fier II in Mehenditi county (Iron Gates II).
The feasibility study will determine whether it is possible to connect the specialised hydrogen production unit Portile de Fier II hydropower plant – as a backup alternative – to the photovoltaic park and will determine the solar power plant’s optimal installed power.
Global electrolyzer capacity has doubled in the last five years, according to the Global Hydrogen Review 2021. The primary impediment to green hydrogen generation is its high cost – it can be two to seven times as expensive as hydrogen produced from natural gas due to the massive quantity of electricity required to manufacture it from water. However, the IEA research notes that technology advancements and economies of scale may make it cost-competitive.
