Wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA (BME: SGRE) and its major Siemens Energy AG (FRA: ENR) combine their industrial expertise to develop projects that will lead to a fully integrated offshore wind-to-hydrogen system.
The companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they intend to invest around 120 million euros ($ 145.9 million) in development over the next five years, with Siemens Gamesa contributing 80 million euros and Siemens Energy covering the rest.
Siemens Gamesa and Siemens Energy plan to offer a large-scale offshore demonstration of their solution by 2025/2026. Meanwhile, Siemens Gamesa will adapt its 14 MW offshore wind turbine, the SG14-222 DD, to be able to integrate an electrolysis system into the machine’s operations.
Siemens Energy is tasked with developing a new electrolyzer capable of being in perfect synchronization with the turbine and at the same time surviving the harsh conditions of the coast. The electrolyzer array will be located at the base of the turbine tower to directly produce hydrogen.
According to the companies, the solution will be able to work without connection to the grid, thus helping to reduce the cost of green hydrogen and opening the door to the selection of more and better wind sites.
The duo said their efforts can be implemented as part of the “Hydrogen Republic of Germany” ideas competition launched by the German federal ministry for education and research, which has set out to support green hydrogen initiatives.
The Siemens Energy-Siemens Gamesa projects are part of the H2Mare initiative, which the companies say is likely to be supported by the Hydrogen Republic of Germany.
