On April 9, 2020, Zespół Elektrowni Pątnów-Adamów-Konin S.A. signed a contract with Hydrogenics Europe N.V. regarding the purchase of a HyLYZER 1000-30 electrolyser for hydrogen production along with the necessary equipment, i.e. a 350 bar compressor station (2x750 m3) and a station for filling mobile storage systems, as well as commissioning and servicing. Hydrogen will be produced from biomass. Thus, ZE PAK SA implements the "Clean Poland Program", whose originator is Mr Zygmunt Solorz.

Hydrogenics Europe N. V. from Belgium is a global leader in the design and manufacture of solutions for the industrial and commercial production of hydrogen. Hydrogen will be produced by water electrolysis using PEM technology (Proton Exchange Membrane).

The implemented project will be based on PEM technology, which means that the hydrogen will be produced without harmful by-products.

The production of hydrogen by applying this technology consists of pure demineralized water decomposition by means of electric current into hydrogen and oxygen, which takes place on the surface of special membranes enabling the catalytic process of water decomposition. Hydrogen generated in PEM at a pressure of approx. 30 bar is compressed to a pressure of approx. 350 bar (in the compression station) and pumped to the mobile storage system (through the filling station).

The mobile storage systems will enable the supply of hydrogen to the refuelling stations of passenger vehicles and buses located in many places in the country. Electricity generated in the Konin Power Plant generating units operating based on biomass – RES units, i.e. also from the new biomass unit reconstructed as part of the conversion of a coal-fired boiler into a biomass-fired boiler will be used for the electrolysis process.

At the first stage of the construction of the hydrogen plant, the demand for electricity will be 2.5 MW, and after equipping the module with a second electrolyser 5 MW, which will enable to reach the production of 2 tons of hydrogen per day. One electrolyser will allow the operation of about 50 buses a day, each of which travels about 250 km a day.

With respect to the signed contract, ZE PAK will join the group of pioneers in the production of hydrogen by means of electrolysis – as in the case of Austrian, German, Japanese and Australian plants.

You can read more about the applied technology here:  https://www.hydrogenics.com/technology-resources/hydrogen-technology/electrolysis/