The energy transition and the climate policy targets not only affect the electricity sector, but also the mobility and heat sectors. However, full electrification of these sectors via a direct use of electricity is neither possible nor efficient. Therefore, complementary to the green power, so-called “Power-to-X”-applications are necessary. Different pilot plants demonstrating the technical feasibility have already been implemented or have been announced.

One way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through sector interconnection is to use existing, but unused wind energy potential at sea to produce hydrogen. Although wind potential areas for the construction of wind turbines at sea do already exist, they are not fully exploited by the expansion path, as currently provided by law. The reason lies on land: The existing power grid is currently limited in its absorption and transport capacities and the grid extension is hardly progressing. Therefore, solutions beyond network expansion will be required in the future.

Shell, Siemens and TenneT have commissioned E-Bridge to develop a tendering model for the production of hydrogen. This study aims to investigate how market penetration of green hydrogen as the basis of many power-to-X applications can be efficiently achieved. In doing so, hydrogen can play a key role in better exploiting the high potential for generating wind energy.

The Management Summary of the study or the entire document can be accessed via the following links: