Europe's First Floating Ammonia-to-Hydrogen Cracker Marks Clean Energy Milestone
Key Ideas
- Höegh Evi and Wärtsilä Gas Solutions complete the world's first floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker, a key milestone in Europe's clean energy transition.
- The technology, part of Norway's Green Platform Program, offers a hydrogen send-out capacity of 210,000 tonnes annually and enables hydrogen production at industrial scale.
- Supported by key partners and the Norwegian government, the floating ammonia cracker is set to play a crucial role in supporting the EU's REPower strategy for renewable hydrogen.
- Höegh Evi plans to develop multiple hydrogen terminals across Europe to help achieve the goal of importing 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually by 2030.
Höegh Evi, in collaboration with Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, has successfully completed the construction of the world's first floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker, a significant achievement in Europe's transition towards cleaner energy sources. This innovative technology, initiated under Norway's Green Platform Program and recently finalized, has the capacity to produce hydrogen at an industrial scale from transported ammonia. With a versatile design, the cracker can be incorporated into floating storage and regasification units or dedicated hydrogen terminals, showcasing a hydrogen send-out capacity of up to 210,000 tonnes per year, coupled with ammonia storage capabilities ranging from 10,000 to 120,000 cubic meters.
The project, which took place at Sustainable Energy's Norwegian Catapult Center in Stord, involved collaboration with key partners like the Institute for Energy Technology, University of South-East Norway, and BASF SE. The Norwegian government's financial support of nearly €5.9 million highlights the commitment to advancing clean energy technologies.
Erik Nyheim, CEO of Höegh Evi, hailed the technology as a revolutionary advancement for Europe's hydrogen economy. Walter Reggente from Wärtsilä emphasized the pivotal role of this innovation in establishing resilient and flexible energy infrastructure. The floating ammonia cracker is anticipated to be a cornerstone in the EU's REPower strategy, aiming to import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually by 2030.
Höegh Evi's strategic plan includes the development of multiple hydrogen terminals across Europe to contribute towards achieving the ambitious target set for renewable hydrogen imports in the next decade. This milestone not only propels Europe closer to its clean energy goals but also sets a precedent for innovative solutions in the global energy transition.