Stiftung Offshore Windenergie

Within the scope of the H₂Mare-project TransferWind, the German OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY Foundation takes over tasks in the field of knowledge transfer, preparation of regulations for construction and operation of offshore-Power-to-X (PtX) plants and tasks within the range of safety and security.

Background of the project

A successful realisation of the energy transition requires a complete decarbonisation of all economic sectors. To achieve this green hydrogen will play a key role. It can be used in cases where the direct application of renewable electricity is difficult. The current hydrogen strategies developed by the North German coastal states, the Federal Government and the European Commission also tie in with this potential. With its National Hydrogen Strategy presented in June 2020the German government intends to significantly expand hydrogen production capacities by using domestic wind power. For this purpose, electrolysis plants with a total nominal electrical capacity of up to 5 GW are to be installed by 2030 and subsequently 10 GW by 2040. However, there are currently a number of challenges to be overcome for a large-scale, sustainable and cost-effective production of hydrogen as well as other PtX-products. One possible approach increasing production efficiency of green hydrogen is to operate PtX-platforms in close proximity to offshore wind turbines. In order to exploit the resulting opportunities, preliminary technical, economic and ecological issues must be clarified.

Furthermore, practical experience concerning the expansion of renewable energies and electricity grids shows that the active participation of citizens and other stakeholder groups can contribute to a successful and timely implementation of infrastructure projects.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has taken this as an opportunity to launch its largest funding initiative on the topic of energy transition. The three hydrogen flagship projects H₂Mare, H₂Giga and TransHyDE will receive funding of approximately700 million euros over a period of four years.

H₂Mare

The aim of H₂Mare and its four collaborative projects OffgridWind, H₂Wind, PtX-Wind and TransferWind is to research the direct use of offshore wind energy in electrolysis and downstream PtX-processes together with 35 partners from industry and science. The whole value chain will be considered.

TransferWind

In this context the H₂Mare-project TransferWind aims to design and answer overarching questions for the other three collaborative projects. This includes aspects such as general infrastructure requirements for offshore plants, general safety issues, possible environmental impacts and the evaluation of the technology through life cycle analyses. In addition, an active exchange of knowledge and information with stakeholders inside and outside of H₂Mare is to be ensured throughout the entire funding period. The Foundation supports this on the basis of its long-standing expertise in the field of offshore wind energy.

Project goals and key objectives

In the H₂Mare-projectTransferWind, the German OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY Foundation will establish and maintain a mutual flow of information between relevant actors from politics, business and administration as well as partners in the alliance through discussion formats, events and participation in associated expert groups and projects. In addition, the Foundation will support the Küsten Union Deutschland e.V. (EUCC-DE) to inform and involve the general public about relevant topics from the project. This will be for example realized by citizens forums, which offer the opportunity to establish direct contact with representatives from business and politics. Furthermore, the foundation will provide teaching materials from the field of offshore wind energy for the "Education and Training" sector . Together with the Technical University of Berlin, the Foundation will integrate findings and experience from the offshore and maritime sectors into analyses, recommendations for action and approaches to solutions in the areas of "baseline surveys for future regulations for the construction and approval of offshore H2 and PtX generation platforms", "personnel and material provision" and "safety and security".

Project period and funding

 

Sponsor: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Contact person of H₂Mare: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG

Coordinator of TransferWind: DECHEMA

Funding title: "Joint project H2Mare_VB3: TransferWind - H2Mare research transfer - Subproject: OWEtoH2 - Knowledge transfer from offshore wind energy through forums, brochures, transfer of regulations to offshore PtX platforms, development of action concepts and identification of training concepts for personnel."

Duration: 4 years

Project start: 4/2021

Project end: 3/2025

Current information on the BMBF's hydrogen lead projects and the associated collaborative projects can be found at: https://www.wasserstoff-leitprojekte.de

Contact info

Project leadership:

Dr. Matthias Wehkamp: m.wehkamp@offshore-stiftung.de   

Project management:

Marlen Sunnyi Bohne: m.bohne@offshore-stiftung.de