Osnabrück/Oldenburg, September 22, 2023. APEX Group (“APEX”), a leading developer and operator of ‘green’ hydrogen electrolysis plants for the decarbonization of industry, infrastructure and mobility, has concluded a feasibility study for the hydrogen cooperation “H2 Alliance Osnabrück” together with its subsidiary Plant Engineering GmbH, a company specializing in engineering and consulting services for hydrogen and energy technology. The results provide a basis for concrete project development.
The companies Georgsmarienhütte, KME Germany, Q1 Energie, EWE and Kompetenznetz Individuallogistik e.V. (KNI) want to jointly implement hydrogen projects in the Osnabrück economic region and thus advance the transformation of the region on the path to climate neutrality. As part of “H2 Alliance Osnabrück”, the partners are planning, among other things, the construction of a hydrogen production plant with mobile hydrogen filling stations for heavy-duty transport at the Q1 sites. The filling stations could be used to supply the vehicles of KNI member companies from the logistics industry and all other vehicles with green hydrogen. In addition, there are plans to connect Georgsmarienhütte and KME Germany to the hydrogen production plant.
The feasibility study was conducted from April to July 2023. As part of the study, the conditions at the KME site were examined as to their suitability for the construction of a hydrogen production plant. The conceptual design of the plant was developed by the engineers of Plant Engineering GmbH, a subsidiary of the APEX Group. The study benefitted from APEX’s extensive experience in planning similar projects in terms of filling simulations, budgeting and scheduling.
Hydrogen production on KME Germany site and the recovery of oxygen and heat for reuse
The study shows that the location on the KME Germany site is well suited for the production of hydrogen. In view of the conditions on site, an electrolysis plant with a capacity of up to 15 megawatts could be built in the first expansion phase. The investments for the plant are estimated by “H2 Alliance Osnabrück” at more than EUR 30 million. In addition to hydrogen, the electrolysis process also produces oxygen. This could be stored on the site of KME Germany and used for copper production.
It would furthermore be possible to recover the heat generated during the electrolysis process and bring it to a higher temperature level with the help of a heat pump. This heat could then be used at the KME Germany site or – if available in the future – fed it into a local district heating network.
Peter Rößner, CEO of APEX, said: “We were delighted to conduct the feasibility study and to contribute our extensive experience and expertise in the field of hydrogen technologies to lay the foundation for the further planning of the “H2 Alliance Osnabrück”. The study shows not only the suitability of the site for the production of hydrogen, but also possible uses for the oxygen and heat generated in the electrolysis process. This ensures efficient hydrogen production with minimal losses.”
Based on the results of the feasibility study, the “H2 Alliance Osnabrück” is now starting the process of securing public subsidies. The consortium does not expect a decision before summer 2024. According to the study, the project could subsequently be implemented within two and a half years.