11.08.2015

With a vision to become a hydrogen-fueled society by 2040, Japan has initiated one of the most ambitious energy plans in the world. However, Japan is also known for its limited and densely populated area, so one could question how a hydrogen energy plant could work in reality? A group of international students from DNV GL may have the answer to this question.

Over the summer, a team of international students from DNV GL’s headquarter in Oslo set forth to investigate more efficient ways to source hydrogen in Japan.

The student’s came up with an innovative solution and the idea to harvest hydrogen from seawater in the waters north of Japan by using floating offshore wind turbines. The wind turbines take advantage of strong winds, which creates the energy needed in order to clarify seawater through electrolysis, and hereby extracting hydrogen and oxygen. The extracted hydrogen is then stored and can be transported to land for later usage.

The students have focused on using already existing technologies in new ways. The floating processing platform is based on the technologies used within the oil and gas industry. And in a similar way, the transport of the hydrogen uses standard tankers and compressed gas handling methods.

Although this solution is designed for Japan, a similar standardized system could also be installed in other countries.

Read the rest of the news here: www.theguardian.com

Read more about DNV GL here: www.dnvgl.com