Sunfire has now delivered the world’s most powerful high-temperature electrolyser (HTE) for energy-efficient hydrogen generation to Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH.
As part of the GrInHy2.0 project, high-temperature electrolysis with a nominal electrical output of 720 kilowatts is being used in an industrial environment for the first time. GrInHy2.0 is a further step of Salzgitter AG towards a CO 2 low-carbon steel production in the innovation project SALCOS® – SA lzgitter L ow CO 2 – S teelmaking. By the end of 2022, the electrolyser should be in operation for at least 13,000 hours and produce at least 100 tons of green hydrogen from green electricity.
“In the course of the recently adopted hydrogen strategies of the European Union and Germany, the necessity of large-scale electrolysers for steel production has also been made clear by politicians. Green steel requires green hydrogen and GrInHy2.0 shows the great potential of the energy carrier for energy-intensive industries. New and low-CO 2 production routes are currently being developed intensively in the steel industry . We look forward to being part of it together with our partners. The technology is ready for the production of hydrogen on an industrial scale and we are ready to significantly increase our production capacity for this ”, says Nils Aldag, Managing Director, Sunfire GmbH.
As a pioneer, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH and Sunfire started the GrInHy project back in 2016. In cooperation with the partners Paul Wurth SA, Tenova SpA, the French research center CEA and Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH, GrInHy2.0 is now seamlessly linked to the successful first project.
Dr. Benedikt Ritterbach, Managing Director of Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH and responsible for research and development in the Salzgitter Group: “Green hydrogen is a central component on our path towards CO 2-poor steel production. With the integration of this world’s most powerful system into large-scale industrial processes, we are breaking new ground in energy-efficient hydrogen generation. GrInHy2.0 will provide us with further information on the industrial demonstration operation of a high-temperature electrolyser. ”
Further information is available at: http://www.green-industrial-hydrogen.com
The project is funded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No. 826350. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research.
About Sunfire
Sunfire GmbH, founded in 2010, develops and produces high-temperature electrolysers (SOEC) and high-temperature fuel cells based on solid oxide technology (SOFC). The company employs more than 170 people and is the world leader in commercial SOEC. High-temperature electrolysis generates valuable hydrogen from steam and renewable energy. The use of steam instead of liquid water in the electrolysis increases the efficiency of the process considerably and is particularly suitable for industrial applications in which process heat is available. The technology promises to make the entire transport sector and many industrial processes that today depend on oil, gas or coal sustainable and CO 2-to make neutral. More information at: www.sunfire.de
About Salzgitter
The companies of the Salzgitter Group have stood for innovative and sustainable production of steel and technology products for more than 150 years. The core competencies lie in the manufacture of rolled steel and tube products as well as their further processing and the global trade in these products. The group is also active in special machine and plant construction. Further information: https://salcos.salzgitter-ag.com/
About Paul Wurth
Founded in 1870 and based in Luxembourg, Paul Wurth is now a globally established technology provider and plant manufacturer for the steel industry. Paul Wurth is a market leader in the design and implementation of complete blast furnace systems and coking plants. Direct reduction systems, environmental protection solutions and recycling technologies complete the group’s product portfolio. The company is currently focused on developing innovative solutions for decarbonising the metal industry. Internationally, the Paul Wurth Group is represented with over 1,500 employees and locations in around 20 countries in all regions of the world with a significant iron and steel industry. Further information: www.paulwurth.com
About Tenova
Tenova, a Techint Group company, is a global partner for innovative, reliable and sustainable solutions for the metalworking and mining sectors. Tenova, including its TAKRAF subsidiaries, employs over 2,500 future-oriented people in 19 countries on 5 continents. Tenova designs and develops services that help companies lower costs, save energy, limit their environmental impact and improve working conditions. More information: www.tenova.com
About CEA
The French government research organization CEA is active in four main areas: energy transition (nuclear and renewable), digital transformation of industry, future health technologies, and defense and security. Based on excellent basic research, CEA organizes cooperation projects with a large number of partners from research and industry. With 20,000 employees and an impressive research center infrastructure, CEA is one of the key players in European research. The institute CEA-Liten, with 1,000 employees, is completely dedicated to working on new technologies for renewable energies and energy efficiency. It is involved in various national and European research and test projects related to high temperature electrolysers and fuel cells as well as their integration into the electrical network in the presence of large renewable energy sources. More information at:www.liten.cea.fr
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