8613480627251To advance its energy transition and bolster its global competitiveness in the green hydrogen sector, Germany has launched three flagship hydrogen technology projects—H2Giga, H2Mare, and TransHyDE. These initiatives focus, respectively, on the large-scale production of water electrolysis equipment, the offshore generation of green hydrogen and its derivatives, and technologies for the transport and conversion of hydrogen.
By integrating the technical expertise of research institutions, industrial enterprises, and specialized suppliers, these projects aim to accelerate the transition of hydrogen technologies from R&D to industrial-scale application, thereby supporting the development of a comprehensive green hydrogen value chain in Germany.
Thyssenkrupp is leveraging its technical strengths in water electrolysis, chemical engineering, and the production of hydrogen-based derivatives to participate in these projects, fostering the synergistic development of green hydrogen production, conversion, transport, and end-use.
I. H2Giga: Advancing Water Electrolysis Equipment Toward Gigawatt-Scale Production
The H2Giga project focuses on the industrialization and mass production of large-scale water electrolysis equipment. Within this framework, the "INSTALL AWE" project—led by Thyssenkrupp—centers on the large-scale manufacturing of alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) technology.
Thyssenkrupp will receive nearly €8.5 million in funding to support R&D and enhance its manufacturing capabilities. Through standardized design, automated production, and supply chain integration, the project aims to reduce equipment manufacturing costs and increase the delivery capacity for large-scale electrolyzers, enabling companies to execute multiple gigawatt-scale hydrogen production projects simultaneously.
Thyssenkrupp’s alkaline water electrolysis system utilizes a modular design, with each standardized module boasting a capacity of 20 megawatts. Compared to proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, alkaline electrolysis is a more mature technology for industrial applications, making it well-suited for large-scale hydrogen production. Its individual cell-stack structure also facilitates targeted maintenance; depending on the specific equipment design, this can minimize the impact of localized faults on the overall system's operation.
Project partner Industrie De Nora contributes specialized expertise in electrochemical technologies, electrolyzer manufacturing, and electrode coatings. By combining their respective strengths in equipment manufacturing, core component supply, and global after-sales service, the parties aim to further refine the supply chain for gigawatt-scale water electrolysis equipment. They will also collaborate with research institutions, universities, and specialized manufacturing enterprises.
II. H2Mare: Exploring Offshore Green Hydrogen and Synthetic Fuel Production
The H2Mare project focuses on utilizing offshore wind power to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia, green methanol, synthetic methane, and synthetic fuels.
Thyssenkrupp will receive €780,000 in funding for the "PtX-Wind" project to advance the research and development of Power-to-X (converting electricity into other energy forms or chemical products) processes. Leveraging its expertise in chemical engineering design, equipment construction, process optimization, and modular production, the company will explore solutions for integrating offshore renewable energy sources with chemical production systems.
Offshore wind power holds significant development potential. Producing hydrogen directly at sea—or in close proximity to offshore wind facilities—and subsequently converting it into chemical products that are easier to store and transport could eliminate certain energy-logistics steps and broaden the scope of green energy applications.
Green ammonia, in particular, serves as a vital energy carrier. Compared to hydrogen, ammonia offers distinct advantages in terms of storage, transport, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. It can be used in chemical manufacturing or, under appropriate conditions, serve as a marine fuel or a medium for transporting hydrogen energy.
For nations with abundant wind and solar resources—such as Australia and Chile—green ammonia also presents export potential. Converting renewable energy into ammonia offers an alternative pathway for international green energy trade. However, the overall economic viability remains dependent on factors such as hydrogen production costs, synthesis processes, transport distances, and end-use conditions.
III. TransHyDE: Developing Hydrogen Transport and Ammonia Cracking Technologies
The large-scale adoption of green hydrogen requires not only efficient production equipment but also solutions for storage, transport, and end-use. The TransHyDE project focuses on hydrogen transport and related conversion technologies; Thyssenkrupp is participating as a partner, evaluating the potential of technical pathways such as ammonia cracking.
Ammonia can function as a chemical carrier for hydrogen. Under appropriate conditions, ammonia can be cracked to produce hydrogen and nitrogen. Once separated and purified, the hydrogen can be utilized in sectors such as steel production, chemical manufacturing, and fuel cell applications.
This approach offers an alternative for the long-distance transport of hydrogen energy: green ammonia is produced in regions with favorable conditions, shipped to target markets, and subsequently either converted back into hydrogen or used directly in compatible industrial applications.
Thyssenkrupp Uhde possesses extensive experience in the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of ammonia synthesis facilities. By integrating ammonia synthesis, storage, transport, and conversion technologies with the hydrogen energy value chain, the company provides the engineering expertise required for the large-scale deployment of green hydrogen.
IV. Three Major Projects Driving the Green Hydrogen Value Chain
The H2Giga, H2Mare, and TransHyDE projects focus on equipment manufacturing, the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives, and the transport and conversion of hydrogen energy, respectively—covering several critical stages in the development of the green hydrogen industry.
H2Giga: Promotes the standardization, automation, and large-scale production of water electrolysis equipment.
H2Mare: Explores the production of hydrogen—as well as green ammonia, methanol, and other derivatives—using offshore renewable energy.
TransHyDE: Investigates technologies for hydrogen storage, transport, and conversion, including ammonia cracking.
The synergistic advancement of these three projects helps refine the technical framework for green hydrogen, spanning production, transport, and industrial end-use. As large-scale electrolysis equipment and associated chemical infrastructure come into operation, the standardized management of equipment maintenance, component replacement, and the handling of decommissioned materials will also become key considerations for the long-term sustainability of the value chain.
