Carbon emission reduction technology company Topsoe has begun construction of what it says is the world’s first industrial scale SOEC electrolyser factory in Herning, Denmark.
The company says it is dedicated to delivering the solutions needed to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors including shipping. To reach net zero on a global scale in 2050 an estimated 3670GW of installed electrolysis capacity will be required by then. A prerequisite for having enough installed electrolyser capacity to enable production of green hydrogen, is to build up manufacturing capacity at speed. And that is exactly Topsoe’s new 23,000m2 facility is intending to do.
Roeland Baan, CEO Topsoe, said: “The case for using electrolysis technology to produce green fuels is well established, but actual manufacturing capacity is needed at speed. We are facing this challenge head on. Our climate is in crisis and in need of resolute and massive solutions to cut emissions and turn the tables on climate change, ensuring a better world for generations to come. In combination with foresightful partners and customers and strong public-private sector collaboration, we’ll be able to make a substantial contribution to the energy transition, help secure energy independence, and fuel the green economy in Europe and globally.”
Kim Hedegaard, Topsoe CEO Power-to-X said: “Our factory will take high-temperature electrolysis from the laboratory environment to industrial scale and provide the first industrial use case. Our SOEC technology helps to answer the question of how to turn on the power when the winds aren’t blowing, and the sun isn’t shining, as green hydrogen and its derivatives can be stored and ready to use when we have a deficit in renewables. It also bridges the gap between renewable energy and the hard-to-abate sectors, that we in Topsoe are determined to decarbonize.”
Once operational, expected in 2025, the factory will house 150 employees and will have an annual capacity of 500 MW, equalling production of 125,000t of hydrogen, with an option to expand further.
