Project overview
Objectives, scope, and technical context.
With the hydrogen project in Puertollano, Spain, energy group Iberdrola realized what was, at the time of commissioning, the largest green hydrogen production plant in Europe. At the heart of the plant is a 20 MW electrolyzer that produces green hydrogen for industrial applications, making an important contribution to the decarbonization of energy-intensive processes.
A key component of the project is the storage of the hydrogen produced. A total of 11 hydrogen storage vessels were installed, 6 of which were manufactured by VAKO. The goal of the project was to ensure a reliable and continuous supply to the connected industrial partner Fertiberia while driving forward the large-scale industrial use of green hydrogen.
The engineered solution
Technical, operational, and infrastructural.
A total of eleven hydrogen storage vessels were installed for the project, serving as the central storage component between hydrogen production and consumption. The hydrogen produced is compressed and buffered to ensure a constant supply independent of the current availability of renewable energy.
The storage solution enables a flexible decoupling of production and consumption, forming an essential building block of the overall concept. Through the reliable stockpiling of hydrogen, industrial use can proceed continuously while load fluctuations in the energy system are simultaneously balanced out. This creates the supply security required for the largescale industrial use of green hydrogen.
The challenge
Technical and regulatory core requirements.
Hydrogen production is based on renewable energy and is therefore inherently subject to fluctuating generation conditions. To nonetheless ensure a consistent supply to the connected processes, it was necessary to create a high-performance storage infrastructure that reliably stores the hydrogen produced and makes it available as needed.
In addition, high standards for safety, pressure vessel technology, and operational availability had to be met. The vessels had to be designed for stationary use in a large industrial facility while also meeting the requirements of long-term, low-maintenance operation under hydrogen conditions. Integration into one of the largest hydrogen plants in Europe placed particular demands on planning, production, and quality assurance.
VAKO’s contribution
Engineering and fabrication – all from VAKO.
VAKO played a key role in implementing the storage infrastructure and manufactured 6 of the 11 hydrogen storage vessels installed. From the technical design through production to quality-assured implementation, VAKO delivered a storage solution that meets the high standards of a flagship European project.
The vessels manufactured by VAKO thus make an important contribution to the reliable storage and supply of green hydrogen on an industrial scale.
Results and added value
Reliable performance and long-term benefits.
The project in Puertollano created the largest green hydrogen production plant in Europe and an important milestone for the industrial use of hydrogen. The storage infrastructure ensures a reliable supply to the connected production processes and creates the flexibility needed between production and consumption.
The hydrogen storage vessels manufactured by VAKO make a central contribution to the plant’s operational reliability and availability. The project demonstrates how high-performance storage technology enables the large-scale use of green hydrogen and provides lasting support for the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries.
