An electrolyser for the large-scale hydrogen project HyBit was delivered to Bremen on 8 October. HyBit (Hydrogen for Bremen's industrial transformation) is a joint project between SWB, EWE and ArcelorMittal Bremen, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions in steel production and thus initiate the decarbonisation of the industry.
Dr. Karsten Schneiker, CEO of SWB: „We are delighted with the successful delivery of the electrolyser, which marks the next step in the HyBit project. Thanks to the close and productive cooperation with our partners from politics, business and science, we will soon be able to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in Bremen. This innovative project underlines our commitment to the provision of climate-friendly energy sources in our region, in which the use of hydrogen as an energy source will play a central role.“
The electrolyser from Dutch manufacturer Farmsum was delivered in two separate modules via heavy goods transport:
- a container (1,250 x 380 x 350 cm and weighing 32 tonnes) in which the actual electrolysis is to take place after commissioning.
- a so-called utility container (1,219 x 244 x 259 cm and weighing ten tonnes)
„Key to the success of the energy transition“
The electrolyser is regarded as the „centrepiece for the production of green hydrogen“ and will be used primarily for pig iron production and processing at the ArcelorMittal Bremen steelworks: During electrolysis, desalinated water in the container units is brought together with electricity from renewable energy sources and the surrounding water is split into oxygen and hydrogen using the electrical voltage.
„The energy transition will not be possible without hydrogen. On the one hand, we need to replace conventional energy sources in their function as an energy supplier, but on the other hand, moving away from conventional energy sources also means replacing their function as a basic material in industrial applications with alternatives“, says Stefan Dohler, CEO of EWE AG. „Green hydrogen is just as suitable as an energy carrier and storage medium for renewable energies as it is as a raw material in corresponding industrial processes. It is therefore a key to the success of the energy transition.“
Dr. Thomas Bünger, CEO of ArcelorMittal Flachstahl Deutschland, describes the „decarbonisation of steel production“ as a „long-distance run“ and is pleased about this important step for his Bremen plant. The electrolyser will be available for H2 production for production processes immediately after commissioning. The medium-term goal is to convert the production technology to climate-neutral.
