Linde Engineering, ITM Power Brought in as Project Partners
Shell has made a positive final investment decision (FID) to build a 100-megawatt (MW) renewable proton-exchange membrane (PEM) hydrogen electrolyzer at a chemicals complex in Germany.
The decision to move forward with the REFHYNE II project at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland comes after the successful start-up in 2021 of the 10-MW PEM electrolyzer REFHYNE I. Linde Engineering has been selected for the engineering, procurement and construction of the facility, while ITM Power will supply the electrolyzer stacks and skids.
According to Shell, REFHYNE II will use renewable power to make up to 48,000 kilos (about 48.5 tons) daily of green hydrogen to partially decarbonize operations at the Rheinland complex and produce energy products such as low-carbon transport fuels. Future production could be supplied directly to customers to help reduce industrial emissions in the region.
The electrolyzer is slated to start up in 2027.
“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in delivering our strategy of more value with less emissions,” said Huibert Vigeveno, downstream, renewables and energy solutions director at Shell. “Investing in REFHYNE II is a visible demonstration of our commitment to the hydrogen economy, which will play an important role in helping to decarbonize Shell’s operations and customer products.”
Shell said it planned to invest US$10-15 billion across 2023-2025 to support the development of low-carbon energy solutions including e-mobility, low-carbon fuels, renewable power generation, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.
The company is currently building the 200-MW Holland Hydrogen I in the Netherlands, one of Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen plants under construction.
Commenting on REFHYNE II, John van der Velden, senior vice president of global sales and technology at Linde Engineering, said his company was at the forefront of developing the technology needed to decarbonize energy-intensive industrial sectors.
“This project draws on our decades of experience in developing hydrogen projects at scale worldwide and we are proud to have been selected by Shell to help deliver its vision for REFHYNE II,” he said. “This project also demonstrates how strong political commitment and supportive incentives can help progress the development of the hydrogen economy.”
Shell, Linde and ITM are members of the Breakbulk Global Shipper Network.
PHOTO: The Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland. CREDIT: Shell
