The electrolyser is scheduled to begin operating in 2027.
Renewable hydrogen from REFHYNE II will be used at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park to produce energy products such as transport fuels with a lower carbon intensity. Using renewable hydrogen at Shell Rheinland will help to further reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions at the facility. In the longer term, renewable hydrogen from REFHYNE II could be directly supplied to help lower industrial emissions in the region as customer demand evolves.
The project will benefit from the experience Shell and its project partners, ITM Power and Linde, have in developing, constructing and operating other renewable hydrogen projects in Europe. Other key project partners include TECNALIA, ETM, SINTEF AS, and CONCAWE.
REFHYNE II follows the success of the 10-MW PEM electrolyser REFHYNE I, which started up in 2021 and uses the same technology. Since 2021, preparations have been under way to deliver the detailed engineering plans for REFHYNE II, complete on-site groundworks, and connect to existing infrastructure.
The REFHYNE II project has been enabled by supportive policies, including the European Union’s (EU) binding targets for the use of renewable hydrogen, and the German Federal Government’s regulatory framework. The project has also received funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
