Pollet Water Group investigates green hydrogen production at sea

​Hydrogen is the element of the future in a crucial role for the green energy transition. As an energy carrier hydrogen can store energy excesses from offshore wind parks. Making hydrogen production feasible at sea is a key innovation in this. The INTENSSE-H2 project will study the feasibility of an innovative concept where water desalination AND hydrogen production through electrolysis will be integrated in a 1-step solution. This one year project officially started November 1th 2021. 

​Green hydrogen production through electrolysis needs fresh (ultrapure) water, energy (electricity) and high pressure. Water scarcity will cause competition for fresh water in the future and thus it makes sense to use seawater as a direct water source for hydrogen production. The INTENSSE-H2 project investigates a concept for integrated make-up water treatment and electrolysis. 

In stead of treating seawater with UF and RO to purify it the electrolyte in the process can be used as a draw solution to desalinate the sea water through a specific type of membrane.
Before developing the proof of concept which can induce the industrialisation of the concept the project team will investigate the feasibility of the concept. The central challenges are:

• The availability of commercialised alkali resistant, selective and good performing membranes for the application (fluxes)
• The effectivity of the hydrogen production and water treatment process at an offshore location on board of a moving platform that is exposed to heavy wind and tides.
• The identification of a valuable supply chain in Flanders or Europe.
• Techo-economical assesment of the membranes and the concept.
• Footprint of the assembled concept to estimate the right dimensions and loading capacity of the offshore platform.
  
  

A feasible INTENSSE-H2 concept can be of great value for the Green Hydrogen Economy: 1) lower capex and opex compared to state of the art ultrapure water treatment, 2) energy savings (low pressure), 3) smaller footprint = lower capex for floating platform, 4) higher flexibility for offshore applications.

Partners: Euraqua Europe (Pollet Water Group), Agfa-Gevaert, Multi.Engineering, VITO
With the support of: VLAIO
Contact person: Micheline Verhaeghe (micheline.verhaeghe@pwg.be)