GREENH2ATLANTIC

Introduction

The GreenH2Atlantic (GH2A) project will develop, install and operate a first-of-a-kind 100 megawatt (MW) electrolyser in Sines, Portugal. The project will produce over 11,300 kilograms a year of renewable hydrogen (H2) while avoiding 100% relative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Hydrogen Management System

The project’s novel artificial intelligence enhanced hydrogen management system will enable the efficient integration of multiple renewable energy assets, while guaranteeing hydrogen delivery to the local refinery and injection into the natural gas grid. GH2A will demonstrate hydrogen’s competitiveness in real operating conditions, using electrolysis technology beyond the state-of-the-art.

Reconversion of Power Plant

GH2A will reconvert a decommissioned coal-fired power plant into a hydrogen hub. By reusing the existing assets (including sea water intake, outlet infrastructures, electrical equipment, and existing buildings and warehouses), GH2A will minimize its local impact and reduce construction timings. This will save:

• 22,000 tonnes of concrete
• 900 tonnes of steel

The hydrogen produced will be blended into the natural gas grid at a scale sixteen times greater than the current state of the art. This will avoid 765,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the first ten years of operation, equivalent to the annual emissions of 20,000 Portuguese citizens. The reconversion of the former power plant will allow the concept to be replicated worldwide, promoting a circular economy and reducing GHG emissions.

Contribution to Decarbonisation

GH2A will be vital for upscaling renewable hydrogen use by the industry, which is key to EU decarbonisation policies. GH2A aligns with Portugal’s strategy of 80% renewable share of electricity by 2030. Renewable hydrogen will be produced to comply with the Renewable Energy Directive and its delegated acts on renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO), using newly built renewable sources.

The project will thus enable increased penetration of renewable energy into the grid by timing the electrolyser to coincide with periods of high renewable energy generation. GH2A serves as a catalyst for the widespread adoption of hydrogen across the EU and will spearhead the development of a robust value chain.

The project will therefore contribute to the REFuelEU goal of reducing fossil fuel consumption in industry and transport, and it will contribute to the goals of the European Hydrogen Strategy in terms of domestic renewable hydrogen production by 2030.

Economic Impact

GH2A will create 5,700 jobs across the hydrogen supply chain in Portugal and Europe. This business model will contribute to a Just Transition by alleviating the socio-economic impact of closing fossil fuel plants across Europe.

The renewable hydrogen that will be produced by GH2A will be transported through a centralised “backbone” pipeline in Sines, Portugal. This critical infrastructure will support the development of Sines as a hydrogen hub by providing an off-take route to future projects.

Collaboration and Research

GH2A partners with local academia, through initiatives such as HyLab, contributing to research and development. This collaboration ensures that lessons learned and challenges faced by this large innovative decarbonisation project are captured and shared widely.