Shell selects Thyssenkrupp unit to handle massive Hydrogen Holland Electrolyzer

Industrial engineering firm Thyssenkrupp’s Uhde Chlorine Engineers unit will build a 200-MW electrolysis plant to facilitate Royal Dutch Shell’s “Hydrogen Holland I” project in the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Shell selected the Thyssenkrupp division for supply contract and handling engineering, procurement and fabrication duties on the massive project. The plant will be based around the 20-MW alkaline water electrolysis module.

Construction is likely to begin in the spring. Plant production could start in 2020.

“We are looking forward to support building a major hydrogen hub in central Europe and to contribute to Europe’s transition to green energy”, says Dr. Christoph Noeres, Head of Green Hydrogen at Thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers. “With our large-scale standard module size, we will further strengthen Shell’s hydrogen strategy. Our partnership perfectly combines our engineering excellence with Shell’s competence of a large global energy player.”

Hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, but to be truly green the H2 must be generated via electrolyzers powered by clean energy resources. In the Holland I case, the electricity will be supplied by the offshore Hoolandse Kust wind farm, according to reports.

Reusable construction material will be used for the plant and solar panels will be set up on the outside walls.

Uhde Chlorine Engineers is a joint venture between Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions and Industrie De Nora.

Shell is scaling up hydrogen production and fuel cell efforts in its native Holland.