The transmission system operator (TSO) Open Grid Europe (OGE) has commissioned a 1-MW electrolyzer in Krummhörn. The facility uses excess wind power and produces about 210 m³ of hydrogen per hour. The pilot project aims to demonstrate sector coupling in practice.
The electrolyzer was inaugurated last Thursday (July 25) in the presence of Lower Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs, Olaf Lies (SPD), and other guests from politics and business in Krummhörn, northwest of Emden. The state of Lower Saxony supported the construction with around 2.8 million euros.
The heart of the facility is a 1-MW electrolyzer that produces about 210 m³ of hydrogen per hour. According to project manager Harald Beek, this corresponds to 18 to 19 kg of hydrogen per hour or three car tank fillings. After production, the hydrogen is used directly at the compressor station for heat supply or to operate a filling station. Two pressure vessels, each with a storage volume of 1,000 m³, are also available for intermediate storage.
Utilization of Excess Wind Power
Furthermore, OGE operates a digital twin of the facility in Krummhörn. The simulation combines real-time operational data with electricity market data and trends to plan production in advance and optimize manufacturing costs. The network operator also plans to operate its own hydrogen pipelines in the future; read more about this here.
According to OGE, the idea for KRUH2 originated in 2019. To utilize local overcapacities of green electricity from wind energy, OGE engineers developed the concept of producing green hydrogen to supply their local compressor station. OGE CEO Thomas Hüwener stated that the project has "model character" and makes "the energy transition tangible here on site."
The attending Minister of Economic Affairs, Olaf Lies, was also impressed. The OGE project illustrates "the future of energy supply." Lies also emphasized the importance of Lower Saxony as a location.
