The world’s first large scale factory manufacturing hybrid electrolyser/battery technology, from start-up company Battolyser Systems, is set to be constructed in the port of Rotterdam to meet soaring demand for green hydrogen and electricity storage.
The ‘Battolyser’ claims to be the world’s only integrated battery and electrolyser system, designed to produce hydrogen from wind and solar power when prices are low, and send electricity to the grid when prices are high.
“This partnership will develop the first industrial green hydrogen equipment manufacturing facility in The Netherlands,” said Mattijs Slee, CEO, Battolyser Systems. “With our offshore wind potential, strong infrastructure and world class heavy industry, The Netherlands can now develop a sustainable and resilient energy system.”
The one GW per annum Battolyser factory will be located in the M4H area, an industrial site in the heart of Rotterdam. The cost of developing the 14,000 square metre production site, complete with new office and laboratory facilities, is estimated to be about €100 million. Once fully operational it will require some 700 directly employed staff plus create up to four times as many indirect jobs with supply chain partners.
“Rotterdam positions itself as Europe’s Hydrogen Hub and new sustainable industries are welcomed to help realise the transition that is taking place in Rotterdam. We need companies such as Battolyser Systems, and we believe the port is the ideal place for its first large scale factory,” said Allard Castelein, CEO, Port of Rotterdam.
Germany and The Netherlands are the first and second largest hydrogen consumers in Europe today, and both have giga-scale plans for green hydrogen that will be consumed in or pass through the port of Rotterdam.
“In this industrial ecosystem, the Battolyser factory is expected to become an anchor for a new platform of companies committed to building a sustainable equipment manufacturing supply chain,” said Castelein. “Companies in the port are already actively working on projects regarding production, imports, shipping, storage and use of green hydrogen. With this factory we add green hydrogen equipment manufacturing to that portfolio. This is of great value for the port’s ongoing efforts to decarbonise and facilitate sustainable industries for the future.”
Battolyser Systems says that its technology can alleviate grid congestion, enable the build-out of more solar and wind energy developments, and offer the lowest cost green hydrogen. It is also designed to be deployable at scale using abundant and conflict free active materials: nickel and iron.
“This partnership with port of Rotterdam to develop our first large scale manufacturing facility together is a big step forward in our commercialisation. The factory allows us to deliver Battolysers at industrial scale and affordable prices. We are in constructive conversation with the Dutch government and EU institutions, and we are confident that together we can secure the required funding,” said Slee.
“A net zero world will require between 5,000 and 10,000 GW of installed electrolyser capacity. The electrolyser supply chain is a huge opportunity for The Netherlands to develop new sustainable industries that can support our energy transition needs and offer export products to world.”
