Italian fabricator and shipyard, Rosetti Marino, has secured a contract from CrossWind, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco, to build a green hydrogen production and storage plant within the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm in the Netherlands.
The project aims to address the intermittent nature of renewable energy by converting excess wind energy into green hydrogen through an electrolyser and storing it for later use. This innovative baseload power hub, the first of its kind in the world, marks a significant step towards renewable energy diversification and the circular economy.
The baseload power hub, developed by CrossWind, will integrate seamlessly into the offshore wind farm, enabling the storage of energy and its subsequent release during peak demand periods. The excess wind energy will be converted into green hydrogen and stored for later use. When needed, the stored green hydrogen can be converted back into electricity via a fuel cell. The project will also include battery storage for shorter-term power storage, providing enhanced flexibility to manage fluctuations in electricity demand.
Rosetti Marino, based in Ravenna, Italy, will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPCIC) of the megawatt-scale baseload power hub. The company’s CEO, Oscar Guerra, expressed enthusiasm for the project and its potential impact on renewable energy storage. The collaboration between Rosetti Marino and CrossWind signifies a significant milestone in advancing renewable energy solutions and embracing the circular economy.
Maria Kalogera, the innovations manager at CrossWind, highlighted the venture’s commitment to innovation and the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. As an 80% owned subsidiary of Shell, CrossWind aims to lead the way in developing groundbreaking projects that contribute to the energy transition.
The activities for the construction of the baseload power hub are set to commence immediately and are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. This ambitious timeline reflects the urgency and importance of transitioning to cleaner and more reliable energy sources.
The project represents a key advancement in the field of offshore green hydrogen production and storage. By harnessing the power of offshore wind farms and converting excess energy into green hydrogen, the baseload power hub offers a promising solution to the intermittency challenge of renewable energy sources. It paves the way for enhanced energy storage capabilities and contributes to the global shift towards a more sustainable and circular energy economy.
