Sweden Continues to Pave the Way For European Hydrogen
Sweden is known to be a major force within the European hydrogen sector, showing and supporting countries around them. Recent data and developments have only strengthened their position as such. Encouraging new research shows the potential of Swedish hydrogen-powered flight technology.
A Swedish and Finnish partnership towards a hydrogen plant in Trelleborg shows their willingness to invest in the potential of hydrogen. Swedish company Hystar AS’ has agreed to provide an electrolyser to the Finnish company, ‘Fortum’, this shows their commitment to helping not only themselves, but all of Europe towards a greener future.
Sweden’s push for hydro-aviation
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, have made encouraging advances in hydrogen-powered flight technology with innovations aiming to revolutionise short and medium-range air travel, potentially eliminating fossil fuel use for flights up to 750 miles by 2045.
As early as 2028, the first commercial hydrogen flights could be in the air
At the heart of this innovation are heat exchangers that significantly improve fuel efficiency. In using hydrogen’s extremely low storage temperature and recycling heat from jet engine exhausts, Chalmers researchers have developed a system that could reduce fuel consumption by up to 8%.
Its suggested that hydrogen-powered aircrafts could meet the needs of 97% of all intra-Nordic flight routes by 2045. This includes 58% of the region’s passenger volume, marking a significant shift towards sustainable air travel in Scandinavia.
Even when tackling problems, Sweden has a proactive approach, with the Swedish Hydrogen Development Centre (SHDC) bringing together industry leaders and academic experts. The country has pledged significant investments, including 162 million Swedish for the TechForH2 competence centre.
Hystar AS signs contract with Fortum to supply an electrolyser
Swedish company Hystar AS has signed an agreement with Finnish energy company Fortum to supply a 0.75 MW electrolyser for Fortum’s hydrogen pilot plant in Källa, Loviisa, Finland.
The hydrogen pilot plant, located east of Helsinki, is set to be commissioned in late 2025. Hydrogen will be produced by electrolysis, by using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. A filling station will be built in connection with the plant for the delivery of European hydrogen to industrial customers. Hystar will supply a 0.75 MW containerised PEM electrolyser system.
Fredrik Mowill, CEO of Hystar, commented
“We’re excited to work with Fortum as we expand into another new market and rapidly deploy our electrolysers globally. We look forward to working closely with their team to ensure a successful delivery and reliable operations of their Källa pilot project.”
Lhyfe win grant to build hydrogen hub in Sweden
French company, ‘Lhyfe’ have succeeded in earning a grant of up 125.6 million Swedish Kronor (c. €11m) to build a local renewable European hydrogen production system in Trelleborg, the southernmost city in Sweden. The money was provided by Klimatklivet, an investment programme supported by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency,
With this plant, Lhyfe will be able to produce up to 4 tons of (highly sought after) green hydrogen per day (based on a 10 MW installed electrolysis capacity)
The grant, which will fund the development and design phases, the supply of equipment and the construction work, represents about 40% of the total estimated investment in the project.
Lhyfe is one of the world’s pioneers in producing green and renewable hydrogen through water electrolysis, with its units being powered by renewable electricity. Its first plant at Bouin, Pays de La Loire in France has been operating since the 2nd half of 2021, with two more sites inaugurated in Occitanie and Brittany in December 2023. An additional five sites are currently under construction or extension throughout Europe. At the end of 2023, Lhyfe had 195 employees dedicated entirely to renewable hydrogen production, with projects in 12 countries and a project pipeline of c.10 GW in Europe.
Sara Wihlborg, Country Manager Sweden at Lhyfe.
“We are very happy to have been awarded this grant, which is the first project we have been granted subsidies for in Sweden and which we see as a clear reward of our efforts and as the recognition of our expertise in the production and delivery of green hydrogen to multiples customers over the last two years.
“It is also a proof of us going the right direction in Sweden, and we would like to reiterate our commitment to the Swedish environmental agenda and welcome the fact that Sweden is focusing on the rapid expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure based on renewable energies.
“This project will contribute towards providing green hydrogen for the mobility sector in the South of Sweden. It will support our objective to increase the penetration of green hydrogen throughout Sweden both for mobility and industry “
Overall, These three pieces of news show that Sweden is extremely proactive within the European hydrogen industry, collaborating with countries across their border and even further. Their attitude towards Europe’s zero-emission end goal is one that all countries should look up to.
