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Pilot plant for hydrogen production in Stenungsund?

Can hydrogen produced with new technology help the chemical industry in Stenungsund transition to climate neutrality? The project will investigate the conditions and develop a concept for a pilot plant for hydrogen production using high-temperature electrolysis, and explore the possibilities of using ammonia as raw material in hydrogen production.

The transition of the chemical industry in Stenungsund requires large amounts of fossil-free hydrogen. Producing this hydrogen requires large amounts of electricity, but the capacity of the local power grid is limited. By using high-temperature electrolysis (SOEC - Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell), a technology under development, the electricity demand can be significantly reduced. The technology is estimated to require about 20-30 percent less electricity than the low-temperature electrolysis (alkaline electrolysis and PEM) used today. This would also reduce the chemical industry's electricity costs.

Towards a pilot plant

As SOEC is a technology under development, it is important to understand the technology's maturity to be able to evaluate opportunities and investment risks. The project is a preliminary study that will investigate the technical and commercial conditions for, and the benefits of, a pilot plant for SOEC in Stenungsund. The project will also develop a concept for the pilot plant and a suggest a possible roadmap for establishing the facility.

RISE will investigate operating scenarios and hydrogen usage

RISE leads the project and is responsible for a work package that involves mapping the interest for a facility, how the produced hydrogen can be used, investigating various operating scenarios, and examining the benefits of a pilot plant in Stenungsund.

Can ammonia be an alternative?

Another possible alternative or complement to reduce electricity consumption in large-scale hydrogen production is to import fossil-free ammonia and use it to produce hydrogen. Ammonia is already imported and used on a smaller scale for other purposes, but the project will explore how large-scale hydrogen production using ammonia can function and complement local production with SOEC.

Part of Klimatledande processindustri

The project is part of Klimatledande processindustri (Climate Leading Process Industry), a Vinnväxt initiative coordinated by Lindholmen Science Park in collaboration with RISE, which aims towards a fossil-independent and competitive industrial region through project activities and knowledge dissemination.

Summary

Project name

High-temperature electrolysis (SOEC)

Status

Completed

Region

Västra Götaland Region

RISE role in project

Project leader and participant

Project start

Duration

2024-09-30

Total budget

651 000 SEK

Partner

Borealis, Chalmers, Preem, Uniper, Vattenfall

Funders

Klimatledande Processindustri

Project members

Lovisa Axelsson

Contact person

Lovisa Axelsson

Forsknings- och utvecklingsingenjör

+46 10 516 69 98

Read more about Lovisa

Contact Lovisa
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