Provaris Energy and Norwegian Hydrogen have completed a pre-feasibility study, demonstrating the potential for low-cost delivery of green hydrogen from Norway to Europe starting in 2027.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of a hydrogen value chain covering large-scale production and export of hydrogen from the Nordics to the key ports of Europe. A preferred site in Norway has been identified for the development of a production facility to deliver up to 50,000 tonnes of green hydrogen to Europe, commencing in 2027, with a competitive delivered cost of hydrogen that includes a marine transport cost of EUR 1.00-1.50/kg.
The study’s scope includes the selection of a preferred coastal site in Norway, renewable power supply, production of hydrogen, compression facilities, infrastructure requirements for jetty loading, Provaris’ H2Leo storage solution, and a fleet of two H2Neo carriers, and import partners required at the identified import location connected to the planned EU H2 backbone and distribution system. The partners are now advancing development activities for permitting and key agreements to support the completion of detailed feasibility in 2023, targeting first exports in 2027.
Compression has been demonstrated to be a highly flexible solution for variable hydrogen production, storage, and transportation. The flexibility and added value that compression offers while providing balancing services to the local grid are complimented with a positive impact on the LCOH of hydrogen delivered to Europe. An efficient grid system established from the repurposing of existing gas storage and pipelines will allow for advantageous integration and operations with Provaris’ compressed hydrogen solution for the ports in Netherlands and Germany.
Provaris and Norwegian Hydrogen will continue to focus on identified sites for green hydrogen export, with a relatively short sailing distance to some of the major planned hydrogen import hubs in the Netherlands and Germany, along with potential hub locations in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark where Norwegian Hydrogen is developing a network of HDV stations through its subsidiary Vireon. Norwegian Hydrogen is taking a leading role in the North European zero-emission hydrogen market by offering green hydrogen to a wide range of mobility and industrial users with a focus on production and demand in the Nordics.
However, there are potential challenges facing the widespread adoption of green hydrogen. Firstly, the technology is still in its early stages, and there is a lack of infrastructure to support the production, storage, and transportation of hydrogen. Secondly, hydrogen production is currently expensive, and cost reduction will require significant investment in research and development. Thirdly, green hydrogen production requires a large amount of renewable energy, which may not be available in all regions, resulting in a reliance on imports from regions with excess renewable energy.
Despite these challenges, the potential impact of green hydrogen cannot be ignored. Green hydrogen has the potential to be a clean, reliable, and efficient energy source, and its adoption could help reduce global carbon emissions. The European Union aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050, and green hydrogen is seen as a key enabler to achieve this goal. The use of green hydrogen in heavy industries such as steel and cement production, as well as in transportation, could lead to significant emissions reductions.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Provaris Energy and Norwegian Hydrogen demonstrates the potential for low-cost delivery of green hydrogen from Norway to Europe, starting in 2027. The development of a hydrogen value chain covering large-scale production and export of hydrogen from the Nordics to the key ports of Europe will require significant investment in research and development to overcome the potential challenges facing the widespread adoption of green hydrogen. However, the potential impact of green hydrogen cannot be ignored, and its adoption could help reduce global carbon emissions and support the European Union’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
