Industrial gas major Messer has announced the development of a 10MW green hydrogen plant in Brainergy Park Jülich, Germany.
Operated by HyDN GmbH, a joint venture between the district of Düren and Messer, the plant is expected to become operational by fall 2025.
The new facility is set to produce up to 180 kg of hydrogen per hour, making it the “largest” production facility in Germany. NEUMAN & ESSER will provide the necessary technology, including two electrolysers for hydrogen production and two diaphragm compressors for pressurizing the hydrogen. The German Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMDV) will fund the project with approximately €14.7 million ($16 million) as part of the National Innovation Programme Hydrogen 2 (NIP2).
According to Virginia Esly, COO Europe of Messer, the company is committed to climate protection by reducing CO2 emissions. The hydrogen produced will be used primarily for fuel cell-powered buses, with five buses already operational in Kreis Düren and twenty more expected by November 2024.
Messer’s planned production capacity of 180 kg of hydrogen per hour is notable. However, it is crucial to compare this with global benchmarks. For instance, other large-scale green hydrogen projects, such as those in Saudi Arabia and Australia, aim to produce several thousand tons of hydrogen annually. While Messer’s project is significant, it is part of a broader trend towards scaling up hydrogen production capacities worldwide.
The project’s funding of €14.7 million ($16 million) by the BMDV is a positive step. However, it is essential to note that the global hydrogen market requires substantial investments to achieve meaningful scale. For instance, the European Union’s hydrogen strategy envisions investments of up to €470 billion ($550 billion) by 2050 to meet its green hydrogen production targets. Messer’s investment, while substantial for a single project, must be seen in the context of these broader financial requirements.
The primary use of hydrogen from Messer’s plant will be for fuel cell-powered buses. This is a critical application, considering the push towards decarbonizing public transportation. However, the broader adoption of hydrogen technologies in other sectors, such as heavy industry and long-haul transportation, will be necessary to achieve significant reductions in CO2 emissions. Messer’s focus on buses is a good start, but the scalability and versatility of hydrogen applications will be crucial for long-term success.
