Fuelling the renewable transition with Power-to-X
Power-to-X is set to play a pivotal role in industries where it is hard to abate carbon emissions. Ramboll has been involved in more than 200 Power-to-X projects since 2020. Three recent projects stand out for their innovative approaches.
We are working with our client Prime Capital AG to establish the Kristinestad Power-to-X plant in Finland, which will be a leading sustainable energy transition project in the country.
Part of the Koppö Energy Cluster, the plant will have the capacity to convert 200MW of electricity generated from renewable energy sources into green hydrogen and sustainable liquified synthetic methane. The resulting product can be used for heavy-duty transportation, which currently relies on fossil fuels.
The first of its kind, the project is expected to be ten times larger, in capacity terms, than the largest green hydrogen plants currently operating in Europe.
In neighbouring Sweden, we are collaborating with Perstorp, a specialty chemicals manufacturer, to halve direct carbon emissions from its Stenungsund facility. The objective is to produce methanol from renewable energy sources, thereby reducing emissions by 500,000 tons per year – equivalent to cutting Sweden’s annual carbon emissions by 1%.
Power-to-X
Power-to-X (also known as PtX or P2X) is a collective term for conversion technologies that turn renewable electricity into green hydrogen or carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, such as synthetic natural gas, liquid fuels, or chemicals.
These can be used in sectors that are hard to decarbonise, such as long-distance shipping and trucking, aviation, and for energy storage.
To reach this target, Perstorp plans to build a Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) plant in Stenungsund, which will convert CO2 emissions captured from the plant’s operations, along with other residue streams, biogas, and green hydrogen supplied by a hydrogen electrolysis plant, into methanol.
In the above projects, Ramboll is closely involved in the consultation process and developed the environmental impact assessments, among others.
Meanwhile, Germany has an ambitious strategy to scale up hydrogen production to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. Ramboll has been appointed by our client Wasserstoffzentrum Hamm GmbH & Co. KG to plan a 20MW green hydrogen production plant in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Part of a strategic hydrogen cluster in northern Germany, the plant aims to deliver 1,500 tons of green hydrogen per year, sourced from renewable energy sources, such as locally generated photovoltaic and wind power, when in operation by mid-2026. The produced green hydrogen will be used for public transport systems and by regional gas traders, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions.
Ramboll will carry out basic evaluation, preliminary planning, and permitting services for the plant.
3 questions to our Power-to-X expert
Eva Ravn Nielsen is Global Advisor and one of our industry thought leaders within Power-to-X. We asked her what is needed to realise the Power-to-X sector’s ambitions and make it a commercial success.
Eva Ravn Nielsen: “In the chemical industry, hydrogen is used for its chemical properties, and it is generated from fossil fuels. In the future, it can be replaced by green hydrogen made from water and renewable power.
Another important application of hydrogen is in the production of ammonia, which is used in fertilisers in agriculture. Finally, the shipping and aviation sectors will need renewable fuels to reduce carbon emissions, which can also be produced by Power-to-X technologies.”
“This is an emerging market, and the business case must be strengthened by clear off-take agreements. Producers need to know that the supply of affordable green power will be available, and that the infrastructure will be in place so that hydrogen, CO2, and e-fuels can be transported to where it is needed by off-takers.”
“We help provide a clear decision basis for the investment, including advising on the Power-to-X plant design, available production sources, costs, and end markets for the solutions.
Safety and environmental permits are also a big part of Power-to-X projects that we support. When all the paperwork is done, we assist with project- and construction management to realise the projects.”