(Guildford/Leuna) – Linde plc wants to build and operate a PEM electrolyzer at its chemical complex in Leuna (Saxony-Anhalt). The 24 megawatt plant will produce green hydrogen, which will be supplied to Linde's industrial customers via the company's existing pipeline network, among other things.
Yield is enough for 600 buses
In addition, Linde will deliver liquefied green hydrogen to gas stations and other industrial customers in the region. According to the company, the expected production volume could be used to fuel around 600 fuel cell buses, driving 40 million kilometers and saving up to 40.000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
The electrolyzer is being built by ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH, a joint venture between Linde and ITM Power. The plant is scheduled to begin production in mid-2022 and produce up to 3.200 tons of green hydrogen per year. In addition to electrolysis, the construction project includes a new hydrogen liquefier, which will go into operation at the beginning of 2021, as well as infrastructural measures in Leuna in collaboration with the site operator Infra Leuna GmbH.
The project is supported by funding as part of the joint task “Improvement of the regional economic structure” (GRW). The state of Saxony-Anhalt and the Federal Republic of Germany are involved in financing the approved grant.
Partner in the “H2 research cavern”
Linde is involved as an “associated partner” in the “H2019 research cavern” research project launched in 2. The aim is to develop a research platform for hydrogen storage in a salt cavern. The storage facility is to be built at the Bad Lauchstädt (Saxony-Anhalt) site of the gas storage operator VNG Gasspeicher GmbH, about half an hour's drive northwest of the Leuna chemical site.
The core of the Bad Lauchstädt energy park includes 30 to 35 megawatt electrolysis, the electricity from which is generated in a 40 megawatt wind farm. A cavern should be able to store 50 million cubic meters of hydrogen. The reallocation of a natural gas pipeline enables the transport to customers with a flow of 100.000 cubic meters of hydrogen per hour.
According to original plans, the technical design planning for the system components and the system documentation should be completed by mid-2021.
Photos
Linde site in Leuna / © Linde plc/Horst Fechner
