Hydrogen Bunkering in the Wind Sector Can Save Enormous Amounts of CO2, Time, and Money

A beacon project is uncovering the potential for ships to bunker hydrogen produced from green electricity generated by nearby offshore wind turbines. And the potential is significant: “It could mean enormous savings in CO2, time, and money,” says a partner.

Is it technically feasible to bunker a service vessel in an offshore wind farm directly from the turbines producing the energy?

This is what a group of project partners is exploring through the Beacon Project ‘Hydrogen Bunkering Integration in Offshore Wind.’ The project is an analysis and preliminary study of the logistical aspects of an offshore bunkering system, which would enable wind farm vessels to bunker hydrogen directly at the turbine. The potential is substantial, says Mohsen Soltani, Associate Professor and head of the Offshore Renewable Energy Department at Aalborg University:

“The wind turbines generate electricity, which is either sent to shore via power cables or converted into hydrogen, which is then pumped to shore. Both methods result in conversion losses and significant expenses, as cables and pipelines are costly, especially for offshore wind farms located at great depths far from shore,” says Mohsen Soltani.

“If, instead, the green electricity can be converted to hydrogen or another fuel that the ship needs right at the turbine, it is much more practical for the ships and a far better utilization of the energy,” he explains.

The Potential is Obvious

Initially, the project is exploring whether it is technically feasible for wind farm vessels – known as Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) – to remain in the park and bunker directly from the wind turbine. ESVAGT, the market leader in SOVs in Europe, is participating in the project with great interest:

“We are committed to the green transition, and it is clear that we would very much like to service offshore wind farms with an even smaller CO2 footprint than today. Therefore, direct hydrogen bunkering at a wind turbine is of interest,” says John Laustsen, Project Director at ESVAGT.

However, he emphasizes that it is not a simple task:

“The potential is very clear, but there are many unknowns that we need to understand better. How do we handle the hydrogen when we bunker? How do we pressurize it? How do we deal with the fact that hydrogen’s energy density is one-eighth of what we are used to? There are many practical questions we need answers to. But that’s what makes it exciting to be at the forefront of innovation,” he says.

Ready for a Green Future

Hytor, another project partner, shares this approach. Sales Manager Martin Løkkegaard Andersen has not yet developed a new product from the project, but being part of the solution is also valuable:

“We need to be where the action is. The green transition is largely about paving the road while driving on it, so we also need to invest in gaining knowledge alongside other partners. The learning and knowledge we acquire together are of great value,” he says.

For NOV, another partner, participating in the project has shown that they have products ready for the green future:

“We bring 25 years of experience from the offshore industry, where we have supplied flexible pipes and loading systems for pipelines to the oil and gas industry,” says Kim Steen Olsen, Project Manager.

“We want to be part of the future energy market, especially the hydrogen market, which will develop rapidly in the coming years. Therefore, it has been beneficial for us to be involved in an innovation project that has shown that our products and technology can be directly transferred to a new industry. This offers many perspectives for us in terms of new markets and new opportunities, and the innovation project has significantly contributed to that,” says Kim Steen Olsen.

Great Perspectives

If the project produces a solution, the perspectives extend far beyond the SOVs in the parks. In the long run, a solution could mean that ocean-going ships can sail directly to wind turbines and refuel.

“Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water, and to achieve the green transition, part of that space needs to be used for offshore wind farms and green wind energy production. By avoiding long and costly cable runs by using the electricity directly at the turbine, we can avoid transmission losses and make more ship transport emissions-free,” says Mohsen Soltani.

Facts

Partners:

• NOV
• Hytor
• ESVAGT
• AAU
• Energy Cluster Denmark

Total Budget:
6,826,258 DKK

EU React Funding:
3,144,644 DKK

Project Period:
May 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023