Provaris study backs compressed hydrogen transport system

Green hydrogen developer Provaris Energy has completed a Concept Design Study which reaffirms the low energy use and low capital cost of its proposed bulk hydrogen export and import compression facilities that complement the company’s H2Neo compressed hydrogen vessels (pictured).

The Study was based on a 540MW capacity export site producing 10 tonnes of hydrogen per hour (equivalent to 87,000 tpa); with an intra-Europe shipping distance of 1,000 nautical miles using the H2Neo carrier to deliver gaseous hydrogen to the customer at 70 barg.

A leading original equipment manufacturer of high pressure compressor equipment supported the preparation of the study with the selection of optimal compression equipment to ensure the project’s feasibility.

Key outcomes include:

• Reconfirmed low energy use with only ~1.5 kWh per kg of hydrogen required for storage and loading compression and only 0.2 kWh/kg for unloading compression
• Compression energy use represented only ~2.8% (15MW) of all power requirement for the export site, with the remaining 97.2% (525MW) available for hydrogen production via electrolysis
• Compression has up to 5 times less energy use than required for ammonia synthesis (7.5 kWh/kg H2 or 65MW)
• And capital cost of compression facilities was €120 million, representing less than 7% of the total capex of the hydrogen supply chain.

Provaris’ Product Development Director Garry Triglavcanin said: “The Concept Design Study reconfirmed the superior energy efficiency and low capital cost associated with compression for marine transportation of hydrogen.

“This Study has increased our confidence and understanding that many regional-European sites with a material level
of renewable power reservation can significantly benefit from compression, when compared to the alternative of converting hydrogen into ammonia for marine transport.

“The benefits of compression include delivering more hydrogen in volume, using less capex, and boosting the financial returns to the producer whilst maintaining a highly competitive delivered cost to the customer.”

The study also found that the system had low energy use of compression, with little or no hydrogen losses.

The conclusion was a ~20% lower delivered price at €6/kg compared to regional supply ammonia post cracking back to hydrogen at €7.4/kg.

“Europe’s recent H2Global and EU Hydrogen Bank auction results allocating €1.1 billion funding to green ammonia and hydrogen projects demonstrated a hydrogen supply cost range of €6-10/kg further highlighting the competitiveness of compression.

“The results of the Study will be used as a basis to support and develop site specific compression facilities now
underway for both export terminal feasibility studies for sites identified in Norway and the Nordics along with import site locations such as Port of Rotterdam.”

Further reading:
Approval secured for Provaris compressed hydrogen transport vessel

Picture: Provaris Energy