Shell and German utility Uniper have signed a memorandum of understanding to find joint opportunities to couple hydrogen supply with demand opportunities.

The firms will begin by looking to accelerate existing projects in Germany and the Netherlands.

Shell recently started operating a 10MW proton-exchange membrane electrolyser able to produce 1,300t/yr of green hydrogen at its Rhineland refinery in Germany, and hopes to expand to 100MW. It is also developing a 200MW green hydrogen plant in Rotterdam, which is intended to start operations by 2023, although FID has yet to be taken.

“Collaborations like this one are necessary to accelerate the transition to hydrogen” Bogers, Shell

Uniper has announced plans to make the German port of Wilhelmshaven a hub for green hydrogen with a 410MW electrolysis plant. The firm also intends to connect its power plant in Gelsenkirchen Scholven as well as some large-scale customers with its coastal hydrogen production plants.

"Collaborations like this one are necessary to accelerate the transition to hydrogen usage in both transport and industry, and Shell is excited to be playing our part in driving this change,” says Paul Bogers, VP for hydrogen at Shell.

Uniper has a goal of becoming carbon-neutral in Europe by 2035 and having net-zero emissions by 2050.

Shell has committed to cut the carbon intensity of its scope one, two and three emissions by 20pc by 2030 and 45pc in 2035, before reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. This translates to an overall cut in carbon intensity from 79gCO₂e/MJ in 2016 to under 40gCO₂e/MJ by 2035 and 0gCO₂e/MJ by 2050.

Collaboration between firms is vital if the energy transition is to be success, according to the CEOs of two European energy firms speaking at a Reuters event  last month.

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Author: Tom Young