Norwegian metals and energy company Hydro has signed a memorandum of understanding with Danish renewables firm Everfuel to develop electrolysers to supply green hydrogen to Hydro’s aluminium plants and to the transport sector.

Initially, the companies have agreed to focus on three sites in Norway and in mainland Europe, to be announced in the second half of 2021. The electrolysers will be sited next to hydro-owned aluminium plants and will be fully owned by Hydro or majority-owned by Everfuel, depending on the supply destination of the hydrogen.

"Hydrogen use will enable more sustainable operations in Hydro, and through the partnership with Everfuel we will also be able to supply the growing green mobility market in Europe" Moss, Hydro

As part of the cooperation, Everfuel will install and operate hydrogen distribution centres at the sites.

Hydro accounts for nearly 10pc of Norway’s renewable generation with its hydro-electric and wind assets, positioning it to produce green hydrogen to feed its energy-intensive aluminium plants, as well as to the wider market. Hydro says it is developing 3-5 hydrogen projects, including those covered by the agreement with Everfuel.

“Hydrogen use will enable more sustainable operations in Hydro, and through the partnership with Everfuel we will also be able to supply the growing green mobility market in Europe,” says Arvid Moss, executive vice president for energy in Hydro.

Everfuel is advancing several projects aimed at the transport sector. Earlier this year, it signed an agreement with offshore wind developer Orsted to take green hydrogen from the 2MW H2Res project at Avedore near Copenhagen for transportation fuelling stations.

The company is also leading a separate project called Hysnergy to build a green hydrogen production plant at Frederica in southern Denmark powered by a 300MW electrolyser, expected to be operational by 2025.

This facility will also eventually supply the firm’s fuelling stations. The company says it aims to develop a European-wide offering of hydrogen supply and fuelling solutions for heavy duty vehicles and industrial stakeholders by 2030.

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Author: Stuart Penson