It was recently announced that a German research project successfully linked a wind turbine to two electrolysers. This development took place between Siemens Gamsea and Fraunhofer IWES and it was seen by the H2 Mare project, which is funded by Germany’s research ministry (BMBF).

Connecting these two pieces of equipment, means that the potential for direct hydrogen production at offshore wind facilities has now become a possibility. The wind turbine that the companies have connected to the electrolyser is based at a test site in Denmark.

It has been made clear that the aim behind this project involves the use of the Danish test site to investigate how fluctuating electricity supply has the ability to impact the electrolysers’ function.

Making the decision to do this, started from an idea of using this technology to overcome complex power fluctuations in hydrogen production. Plus, this development is also the first step within a plan that is focused on harnessing ideal offshore wind conditions that will go into producing green hydrogen directly. This system has been created with the hope that it will be able to replicate the land-based system at sea.

The project team commented, “The fluctuating power supply as the basis for the entire subsequent conversion process, including water treatment and the control system coordination of the system, are among the greatest challenges for the development engineers.”

The announcement stated, “With this setup, the effects on control can be identified, further assessed and if necessary, adjusted, as this will be one of the critical aspects at sea.”