Plans for a ‘one-stop shop’ marine platform producing wind power plus green hydrogen and ammonia have been unveiled by a renewable energy developer and engineering group.

The Energy-Plus platform would take in power from offshore wind turbines but produce “multiple energy outputs”, said Enterprize Energy and partner Tractebel Overdick, which signed a memorandum of understanding to work on a prototype design.

The 400MW platform atop a jacket foundation could send power to the grid, but would also house onboard electrolysers to produce renewable hydrogen for export via pipelines and associated technology for ammonia production that can be collected by tanker.

Enterprize Energy CEO Ian Hatton said companies like his – which is developing offshore wind projects in Asian markets such as Vietnam and Taiwan – will need new options beyond the marine renewable technologies available now.

“We see the future of offshore wind as a backbone technology that will deliver multi-faceted benefits – not just in the diverse outputs that are possible from deploying generated capacity for alternative by-products, but in ensuring that the benefits can be equally secured in new markets to help drive sustainable growth and new economic opportunities more widely,” Hatton said.

Andreas Rosponi, managing director at Tractebel Overdick added: “Through a long heritage in offshore energy and maritime engineering, we’ve recognised that there are a host of different technological opportunities that are still to emerge. By partnering with a pioneer like Enterprize Energy, we can start to deliver upon a new ambition for offshore wind projects.”

Offshore production of green hydrogen independent from the power grid is seen as one of the biggest potential cost game-changers for H ₂ from offshore wind, with various projects looking at options on platforms or onboard individual turbines.

Wind

'One-stop' offshore wind platform for green hydrogen and ammonia planned