Hydrogen

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Hydrogen and its derivatives, including ammonia, are widely considered a cornerstone of our global energy transition, climate change actions, and sustainable energy security. With more than 70 countries currently committed to reaching net zero, renewable energy development is rapidly increasing and becoming more widespread.

To reach our 2050 climate goals, critical work is required in securing the supply and resilience of these increasing renewable energy systems, including new routes to markets, alternative fuel production, increasing shares of renewable electricity, mitigating the risk of curtailment, and opening access to countries with as yet limited green energy resources.

Delivering net zero also requires decarbonisation at the scale of the full value chain of an energy project, including production, support infrastructure and energy transportation. 

Green Hydrogen – a highly versatile, clean and safe energy carrier, produces zero emissions at the point of consumption. For this reason, hydrogen can benefit various sectors including renewables, maritime, oil & gas, and other industries boasting four key opportunities:

  • As energy storage or as an energy carrier, green hydrogen (produced from renewable energy sources via electrolysis or other methods) can improve potentially electricity grid stability and broaden access to net-zero energy resources
  • Alternative fuels can power ships and heavy-duty vehicles helping the decarbonization of the maritime industry, mobile/transportation sectors, and other industries.
  • Higher capacity of hydrogen and ammonia transport/export could be allowed by ships and/or pipelines
  • Carbon capture, utilization, and large-scale storage of CO2, hydrogen and ammonia

Many countries are rapidly recognising the potential hydrogen can offer. The EU issued its hydrogen strategy in 2021, calling for 6 GW of capacity by 2024 and 40 GW by 2030. But, as with all new technologies, the development and integration of hydrogen are not without their challenges.

Opportunities with Green Hydrogen

100% sustainable: does not emit pollutants at combustion or production

Storable: easy to store, enabling more widespread and versatile consumption, and variable transmission as per supply and demand 

Versatile: can be transformed into electricity or synthetic gas and used for commercial, industrial or mobility purposes

Challenges with Green Hydrogen

High cost: generated from the electrolysis of renewable energy sources, means its cost-competitiveness is dependent as well on the cost-competitiveness of the energy resource

High energy consumption: hydrogen production in general and green hydrogen, in particular, requires more energy than other fuels

Safety: volatile and flammable. Therefore, extensive safety measures need to be taken throughout the life-cycle of a project

Our services in hydrogen

OWC offers specialised technical services in consulting and engineering to cover the full life-cycle of a hydrogen project, with experience across hydrogen production, storage and transportation projects.

Market Studies

Market Studies

Supporting in early-market studies, site identification & characterisation, market regulations, and route-to-market strategy.
Research and Development

Research and Development

Innosea – the French branch of OWC – is a leading research & development (R&D) partner across the marine renewable energy landscape.
Technical Due Diligence

Technical Due Diligence

Specialist technical due diligence supporting the financing, acquisition, sale and refinancing of assets, technology and companies within the renewable energy market.
Owner’s Engineering

Owner’s Engineering

Our owner’s engineering ensures your project runs on time, on budget and according to your objectives.
Engineering

Engineering

OWC draws on a vase range of engineering expertise to provide you with specialist engineering and analysis across every stage of a renewable project’s lifecycle.
Technical Studies

Technical Studies

Offering a vast range of technical expertise to provide clients with technical studies in almost every area of interest.

The value we bring

Multidisciplinary expertise covering renewable energy, electrical engineering, vessel design & naval architecture, subsea engineering, civil engineering and more

Turnkey solutions and service offering support from initial planning to development, through to installation

Market knowledge and technical know-how to drive cost efficiencies throughout your project

HSEQ and loss prevention expertise for early risk mitigation

Our hydrogen project experience

+40

hydrogen projects

OWC’s project track record across hydrogen production, transportation and storage.

Roadmap, strategy, policy and business plan

  • Marine Hydrogen Energy consultant for the Asian Development Bank
  • OPHARM – Offshore Hydrogen Analysis and Roadmap
  • Floating wind and green hydrogen – Franco-Scottish wind-hydrogen collaboration
  • Offshore wind and hydrogen production development roadmap

Hydrogen production & integration with renewable plants

  • Green hydrogen production barge concept design
  • NEOM Green Hydrogen Project – Saudi Arabia
  • Feasibility study of hydrogen production – battery – fuel cell and renewable energy
  • Coupling renewable power plants – electrolysers – markets

Hydrogen & Ammonia applications, storage and transportation

  • Application of hydrogen, ammonia and methanol to decarbonise Indonesia’s transport sector
  • Concept and detailed design of Europe’s first hydrogen fuel-cell emissions-free seagoing ferry – HYSEAS III

Hydrogen infrastructure and safety

  • Fuel cell manufacturer representative
  • Assessment of electrolysers & power system services
  • Repurposing of existing natural gas networks to carry a 10% blend of hydrogen

Questions? Get in touch

Power of Integration to Net-Zero

Power of Integration to Net-Zero

Nov 22, 20233 min read
OWC has contributed and launched a key technical paper, which investigates the use and impact of grid-scale electrolysers and ensuing green hydrogen production to regulate and support frequency in wind-dominated power systems.
wind turbine with solar panels and sunset. concept clean energy

OWC to support Equinor for offshore wind and low to zero carbon solutions

Jul 26, 20232 min read
Renewable energy consultancy OWC has been awarded a global master services agreement (MSA) with Equinor to provide owners engineering, technical and advisory services to support the development of Equinor’s offshore wind and low to zero carbon solutions.
Damien Pasco to lead OWC in Australia and New Zealand

Damien Pasco to lead OWC in Australia and New Zealand

Jul 19, 20232 min read
International renewable energy consultancy OWC has appointed Damien Pasco as country manager for Australia and New Zealand, tasked with supporting the two countries’ renewable energy aspirations.
Ireland’s National Hydrogen Strategy – Opportunities and Developments

Ireland’s National Hydrogen Strategy – Opportunities and Developments

Jul 18, 20234 min read
OWC’s Head of Hydrogen, Nguyen Dinh explains the key elements of Ireland’s new National Hydrogen Strategy.
OWC presents on offshore wind experience at UK & Brazil: Partners in Energy 2023

OWC presents on offshore wind experience at UK & Brazil: Partners in Energy 2023

Jun 23, 20234 min read
OWC was invited by the British government to speak about our experience in offshore wind development at the 10th edition of UK & Brazil: Partners in Energy 2023 conference in Brazil.
OWC to acquire Delta Wind Partners

OWC to acquire Delta Wind Partners

Jun 21, 20234 min read
Renewable energy consultancy OWC has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Denmark-based offshore wind consultancy, Delta Wind Partners ApS (DWP) – a specialist solutions provider for wind turbine generators (WTG).