Hitachi Energy has delivered
a modular solution to electrify a 20 MW electrolyzer to produce hydrogen to
heat steel before rolling, while Enapter has unveiled its AEM electrolyzers for
industrial and refuelling pilot projects.
has supplied Ovako with a modular eHouse solution for the
electrification of a 20 MW electrolyzer in Hofors, Sweden. The project marks
the world’s first steel plant to use hydrogen for heating before the rolling
process. Beyond steel heating, the hydrogen will fuel cell-powered trucks, and
surplus heat from the plant will support district heating. Hitachi Energy’s
delivery includes a modular Grid-to-Stack solution, with components such as
transformers, rectifiers, control equipment, and high-current connections to
convert alternating current from the distribution grid into the direct current
required for the electrolyzer. The company has collaborated on the system’s
development with Volvo Group, H2 Green Steel, and Nel Hydrogen.
Enapter has expanded
its product lineup with the introduction of the “AEM Flex 120,” a new AEM
electrolyzer for industrial and refueling pilot projects. The AEM Flex 120
features up to 50 AEM Stack core modules, ensuring high reactivity to
fluctuating renewable energy sources. It can produce approximately 53 kg of
hydrogen per day at 99.999 percent purity, with the option for a dryer. This
electrolyzer addresses the market gap between Enapter’s AEM Electrolyser EL 4
(1 kg/day) and its megawatt-scale AEM Multicore (450 kg/day), and the company
is scaling up its production capacities to meet demand.
The Port of
Rotterdam and the inland Port of Duisburg have jointly
presented the findings of a feasibility study focused on North
Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The results show a significant local increase in
demand for low-carbon hydrogen, exceeding 3 million tons per year until 2045.
To meet this growing demand for green hydrogen in the medium term, the study
recommends completing the first hydrogen pipeline between the two ports by
2027. Subsequently, pipelines for hydrogen derivatives and CO2 export should
follow, complementing the essential roles of inland shipping and rail
transport.
Rina, in collaboration
with SEA Aeroporti di Milano and the local branch of the Italian enterprises
federation Confindustria, has launched the Hydrogen Valley Malpensa project –
Italy’s first hydrogen valley in an airport environment. The project’s
objective is to establish a complete hydrogen supply chain ecosystem by
September 2027. Participants in the project include Air Pullman, Artelys,
Circe, Emisia, and Lhyfe Labs, making it a collaborative effort involving
various stakeholders.
Nuvera Fuel Cells has agreed to
supply a hydrogen fuel cell system for a reachstacker developed by Hyster,
which has been delivered to the Port of Valencia in Spain as part of the
H2Ports project. This initiative aims to introduce hydrogen-powered vehicles
and equipment into port operations. “The
hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks and can be refilled less than 15
minutes,” said Nuvera Fuel Cells. “The hydrogen fuel cell charges the
batteries, which power the electric motors and hydraulic systems, enabling the
reachstacker to lift laden containers with comparable performance to a diesel
alternative.”
Irish Rail and Digas have
signed a contract for a proof-of-concept project to convert a diesel locomotive
from traditional diesel fuel to hydrogen. As part of this €1.5 million project,
Irish Rail will provide the 071 Class Diesel Locomotive for the conversion,
while Digas will manufacture and install a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine
(H2 ICE). The project’s success could demonstrate a practical and
cost-effective means to decarbonize and operate existing diesel locomotives
with hydrogen-powered engines, offering environmental benefits for rail
transportation.