In the H2Mare Hydrogen Pilot Project: Synthetic Fuel From Offshore Wind Farms

In July, the Federal Ministry's flagship hydrogen project H2Mare opened the world's first floating test platform to demonstrate a complete power-to-X process chain for synthetic fuels. The aim is to synthesise synthetic fuel from wind energy, seawater and ambient air. The entire planning process, from approval and construction to operation of the plant, will be carried out in real life in order to develop concepts for the construction of larger production platforms.

In July the researchers will test the platform, first in the port of Bremerhaven and then on the open sea off Heligoland. One focus of the research is to operate the entire process chain dynamically, even under changing wind conditions. In addition, the maritime influences on the plants, such as waves, salt water and wind loads, will be investigated. The aim is to achieve self-sufficient, safe operation at sea. The findings will serve as a basis for the development of larger production platforms that can be directly connected to wind turbines.

Power-to-X at H2Mare

The H2Mare test platform has its own direct air capture (DAC) system for extracting CO2 from the sea air, a seawater desalination plant and a high-temperature electrolysis system for producing synthesis gas. This consists of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and is required as a starting material for a variety of chemical syntheses. What is unique is that the test environment developed by DLR enables high-temperature electrolysis to be operated at up to 850°C and under a pressure of 8 to 25 bar. This allows direct coupling with the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on board at the same pressure level to be demonstrated. The modular design enables dynamic, grid-independent operation of the entire process chain, adapted to the availability of renewable electricity from offshore wind power.