Progress for fixed & floating hydrogen technologies
Offshore Wind and Hydrogen
Quite a day in my world of floating wind and hydrogen today in that so there was not just one big announcement but an important second one hot on its tail.
The first, which I shared with the community in the form of Centrica working together with floating hydrogen outfit lhyfe
Centrica have a decarbonisation requirement and also considerable expertise in the field of offshore storage of gas. Hydrogen, which is a lot lighter than methane and requires exactly such a skill set, especially regarding seasonal rather than short term storage.
Centrica bring a lot to table and the curiosity there is that the chosen site is off the east coast of England, certainly not the deepest waters. But that matters less with the new breed of tripod designs.
In fact, they're at separate designs of floating offshore wind turbines and the myth that one needs deep water is rapidly dissipating.
The curiosity here perhaps is that it wasn't the front runners in Scotland or indeed the Celtic Sea, both of which have significant aspiration for floating wind and hydrogen -but the already developed east coast of England with significant fixed-bottom generation already in situ.
The choice of linking lhyfe with one of the key gas grid connection points that Easington represents smart strategic thinking.
The second announcement, again with a strong innovative aspect comes from Holland. Building upon the formidable Dutch experience in reclaimed land on the new breed of potential offshore wind islands both manufactured and natural , and brings together some key elements of the jigsaw with a Dutch offshore wind round and indeed, incorporating hydrogen.
The Dutch have been moving ahead with emulators such as Poseidon and are now gearing for real infrastructure with their leasing round.
It's not that far from the East of England Easington to the Dutch coast at towards the Hague, and Ruhrgebeit beyond.
With their strategic thinking with pipelines in situ and locations such as Bacton and indeed Easington can help an Anglo Dutch offshore wind and hydrogen effectively offer synergies to develop in tandem.
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