(Esbjerg / Denmark) – The Danish project developer and operator of solar and wind farms European Energy A/S wants to start delivering green hydrogen to the port of Esbjerg on the country's west coast in the first half of 2023. According to the information, the energy source is produced by two wind turbines in the “Måde” wind farm south of the city. The municipality of Esbjerg recently approved the construction of the new PtX plant, the company said.
Shore power for ships
According to Emil Vikjær-Andresen, head of the Power to It is a mobile system “that we can use in any section of the port where it is needed,” said Dennis Jul Pedersen, CEO of Port Esbjerg.
According to European Energy, the project will also provide insights into the daily operation of a PtX system. This is of great value “for the further optimization of the numerous projects that we are currently developing”. The waste heat generated during hydrogen production is fed into the local district heating network in Esbjerg.
International agreements for e-methanol
In January, European Energy A/S started managing the fishing port Hanstholm A similar declaration of intent was signed in the northwest of the country, according to which the project developer wants to build plants for the production of e-methanol and hydrogen in addition to solar and wind power plants.
Europaen Energy wants to install a plant to produce 2025 tons of e-methanol per year in the port of Aalborg by 75.000. A corresponding agreement was signed in March. Also in March, the company received funding from the Danish group AP Moller-Maersk the contract to develop e-methanol projects in Latin America and the United States. From 2025/2026, 200.000 to 300.000 tonnes of fuel will be delivered annually for a new fleet of ships belonging to the logistics and transport group, which is currently being set up.
Funding for green jet fuel
Just a few days ago, European Energy also secured funding to co-finance two new research projects under the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP) in Denmark. The first project involves setting up a test facility that can convert e-methanol into sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF).
In Denmark, domestic flights require around 25.000 tons of fuel annually. “This amount can be provided by a facility in Denmark connected to a 150 to 200 megawatt offshore wind farm and a 200 to 300 megawatt solar farm,” says Søren Knudsen Kær, head of technology at the PtX division at European Energy. By financing a test facility, Denmark has come one step closer to its goal of “operating domestic air traffic exclusively with environmentally friendly fuels.”
On the project, European Energy is working with Vertimass, Kosan Gas, Aalborg University, Aalborg Port, Aalborg Airport and Hydrogen Valley. The EUDP funding amounts to 1,3 million euros.
Digitalization of the operation of solar systems
The second project focuses on the digitalization of operation and maintenance (O&M) of solar parks. Currently, more powerful solar modules and inverters with higher voltages are being used. In order to minimize risk factors and further reduce costs, new management tools would have to be developed.
This project runs from 2022 to 2023 and is carried out in collaboration with the Danish Technical University DTU (Institut Electrical Engineering), the PV engineering service provider Emazys ApS and the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP) in Halle. The funding amounts to 1,1 million euros.
Photos
Esbjerg harbor. © European Energy A/S
