Author: Marika van Pol

H2sea is proud to announce its selection by the Carbon Trusts Integrator Programme to carry out the H2PD (Offshore Hydrogen Production Platform Design) project. This initiative marks a significant milestone in advancing offshore hydrogen production technologies.

The Integrator is a joint industry programme which aims to maximise the contribution of offshore wind to a low cost, flexible, predictable and low carbon energy future which is funded by leading renewable energy and energy companies, including SSE Renewables, ScottishPower Renewables, Vattenfall, EnBW, Shell, and TotalEnergies.

The H2PD study builds on The Carbon Trust’s commitment to enabling a low-carbon future by fostering collaboration among industry leaders.

Within the H2PD project, H2sea will explore the feasibility and design of offshore hydrogen production platforms of 500 MW and beyond. The comprehensive study is structured into four critical phases:

1. Market Screening Phase: A thorough analysis of emerging technologies for offshore hydrogen production.
2. Technical Design Phase: Development of innovative and scalable designs for offshore hydrogen production platforms, focusing on efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.
3. Regulatory Phase: Examination of the regulatory landscape to ensure compliance with UK and German laws and international maritime standards, identifying pathways to streamline project approvals.
4. Advisory Phase: Delivery of strategic recommendations to The Carbon Trust, providing actionable insights for future investments and policy frameworks supporting offshore hydrogen initiatives.

Edwin van Drunen, Managing Consultant and CEO at H2sea, commented on the project award: “We are honoured to collaborate with the Carbon Trusts Integrator Programme on this pioneering project, with support from our partners HSM and Enersea. The H2PD study will lay the foundation for scalable offshore hydrogen solutions, reinforcing renewable energy innovation on the North Sea. By leveraging offshore wind resources and innovative hydrogen platform designs, H2sea aims to accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen production at scale.”

This study highlights the potential of offshore hydrogen production as a cornerstone of the energy transition. H2sea’s collaboration with the Integrators consortium of industry leaders reflects a shared vision to enable green hydrogen solutions and strengthen the role of renewable energy in combating climate change.

H2sea, Bosch Thin Metal Technologies and TNO are proud to report the successful completion of the IPOSH (Innovative Process Design for Offshore Hydrogen) project. This pioneering study aimed to optimise the design of offshore hydrogen production systems, reducing the Levelised Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) by 10-20% and achieved this goal. The project was made possible through the support of the Dutch TKI Offshore Energy Program.

Innovative Approach to Electrolyser Design
Traditionally, electrolyser stacks are designed first, with the balance of stack (BoS) and balance of plant (BoP) components selected afterward to accommodate the stacks. However, the IPOSH project is among the first in the world to consider all components equally important from the outset. This integrated approach ensured that cost savings were realised through simultaneous optimisation rather than retrofitting elements to pre-designed stacks. By designing the overall system, the project aimed to achieve a higher level of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Lifecycle-Based Methodology for Long-Term Efficiency
The IPOSH project has adopted a lifecycle-based methodology, evaluating critical aspects such as plant design, transport, installation, maintenance, operation, and decommissioning. Through a model-based analysis, the project assessed stack replacement rates under different operational scenarios and module sizes to enhance efficiency and longevity.

A key focus of the project was to establish general requirements for offshore electrolysis, addressing factors such as system footprint, maintenance needs, and environmental impact. By implementing a system engineering approach, the partners ensured that the electrolyser system was holistically optimised rather than constrained by existing design limitations. This will enable the identification of the most cost-effective and scalable configurations for future offshore hydrogen production.

By leveraging the combined expertise of H2sea, TNO, and Bosch, the findings of the IPOSH project will provide valuable guidance for future developments, strengthening the role of offshore hydrogen in achieving a sustainable, low-carbon energy system.

H2sea will be exhibiting at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, taking place from 20-22 May. You’ll find us at Booth F24 in Hall 1.

Stop by to meet our team of researchers, engineers and innovators and discover what’s next for offshore hydrogen.

You’re warmly invited to stop by for good coffee, cool drinks, and tasty bites. We look forward to connecting!

From 8–10 April, H2SEA will be exhibiting at WindEurope in Copenhagen, at the Dutch Pavilion (stand C1-C70). 

We’re excited to share our latest work on offshore hydrogen integration. From smart platform designs and pipeline strategies to solutions that improve grid stability and enable offgrid production. 

At the heart of our current efforts is a full-scale concept for offshore hydrogen production, focused on safety, scalability, and significant cost reduction. 

Our team members Edwin van Drunen and Mohool Misra will be in Copenhagen and look forward to connecting. 

Want to schedule a meeting? Contact Marika van Pol at m.van.pol@h2sea.nl