Neste goes ahead with MultiPLHY project at its Rotterdam refinery
The project would identify potential disruptors and make the SOEC technology commercially viable at scale.
Neste is entering into the execution phase with its consortium partners in the MultiPLHY consortium.
The MultiPLHY project aims to install, integrate and operate the world’s first high-temperature ~2.4 MW electrolyser system at Neste’s renewable products refinery in Rotterdam to demonstrate the production of green hydrogen for the refinery’s processes.
The MultiPLHY project started in early 2020, and since then, the conceptual design has been completed while detailed engineering is being finalised. In the next phase, Neste will proceed with the construction works. In addition to Neste and Sunfire, the MultiPLHY consortium partners include CEA (a French public research organisation), Paul Wurth (an engineering company and technology provider) Engie (a global reference in low-carbon energy and services).
Electrolysis company Sunfire will supply the multi-megawatt electrolyser based on the innovative SOEC (solid oxide electrolysis cell) technology, operating at high temperatures of 850°C. Due to heat utilisation, the high-temperature electrolyser requires significantly less electricity to produce one kg of green hydrogen.
The MultiPLHY project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (FCH 2 JU).
Lars Peter Lindfors, Senior VP at Neste, said, “Demonstrating green hydrogen production at our Rotterdam refinery within the MultiPLHY project is one of the initiatives enabling us to further drive the development of new sustainable technologies.”
Nils Aldag, CEO of Sunfire, said, “Together with the strong MultiPLHY consortium, we will demonstrate an innovative solution on how the refining industry can become more sustainable.”
Michèle Azalbert, MD at ENGIE Green Hydrogen, added, “Renewable hydrogen is an essential low-emission technology for the decarbonisation of industrial processes.”
