Three Norway RE Firms make ‘Hydepoint’ for offshore green hydrogen production

Three major renewable energy players based out of Norway have joined forces to develop a combined offshore wind energy substation and an offshore hydrogen factory in the seas of Norway. Arendals Fossekompani, Kongsberg and Moreld are the collaborating companies who will have equal shares in a new company called 'Hydepoint.'

The official statement of the three companies reveals that Hydepoint's key objective is to solve problems that are attached to the development and upscaling of offshore wind energy and subsequent production of green hydrogen.

In the unique partnership, Moreld will develop offshore infrastructure solutions, Kongsberg will contribute through power and management systems, and Arendals Fossekompani is going to offer solutions that will heighten planning and operation of the project.

The project will be located close to the wind farms in the sea. Hydepoint will utilise some or all of the wind energy to green hydrogen.

The location of Hydepoint seems crucial as it’s expected to reduce the requirement of up-scaling the wind power grid both to and on land.

Commenting on the utility of Hydepoint, Morten Henriksen, Executive Vice President, Fossekompani, said, “Hydepoint is a complete solution for receiving, converting, and transmitting the full energy potential from offshore wind farms, with reduced dependence on the onshore power grid.Demand for hydrogen is already significant and expected to grow further. Hydrogen is utilized directly in several industries and will also be used for production of alternative energy carriers, such as ammonia and synthetic LNG."

Henriksen adds that Hydepoint will generate Green hydrogen that will out-place gray hydrogen. The green hydrogen is made through renewable energy and the grey hydrogen is made using natural gas. "This will have a positive environmental effect both short-term and long-term," said Herinksen.

Geir Haoy, CEO, Kongsberg, said on Hydepoint, “Kongsberg already has significant activities in offshore wind, offering solutions that enable efficient development and operation of offshore wind.

“For offshore wind to work in complex energy systems, it is crucial to ensure attractive and robust solutions for energy conversion, storage, and management. Hydepoint contributes to solving these challenges by allowing surplus power to be converted directly to hydrogen offshore. Hydrogen can be stored, transported, and used alternatively.”

Moreld, CEO, Geir Austigard held, “There is a great potential for reducing costs through solutions that can be industrialised, standardised and built in large numbers." He also added that Hydepoint will create fully developed substations that will reduce the green hydrogen costs and delivery time.