Hungary has inaugurated its first green hydrogen plant, located at the Bükkábrány Energy Park in northeastern Hungary.
Energy Minister Csaba Lantos emphasized the plant’s dual role in combating climate change and enhancing Hungary’s energy independence. The facility utilizes renewable energy generated by a nearby 32-hectare solar park, showcasing its commitment to clean energy production.
An additional noteworthy aspect of the project is its location. The plant was built on reclaimed land previously used for lignite mining by the Mátra Power Plant. This approach demonstrates the potential for repurposing former mining sites for sustainable energy development.
The green hydrogen plant is strategically positioned to leverage Hungary’s existing solar energy infrastructure. Minister Lantos highlighted the country’s extensive solar panel network, with a total capacity of 6,300 megawatts, supporting the government’s commitment to green energy production and storage.
The plant utilizes an electrolyzer powered by the solar park to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The high-quality green hydrogen produced has various potential applications, including medical and scientific uses, fuel cells, and blending with natural gas for energy production.
The project also incorporates a unique aspect – a scale model of the 1 MW electrolyzer will be installed at the Science Park in Szeged. This model will serve as a platform for developing algorithms to optimize hydrogen production based on factors like solar energy availability and grid demand. This focus on innovation highlights Hungary’s commitment to refining green hydrogen production technologies.