Successful Completion of the HYFLEXPOWER Project: A Step Towards Carbon Neutrality

The HYFLEXPROWER consortium have successfully achieved the first stage of their research project on renewable energy, which was funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This stage saw Smurfit Kappa’s Saillat paper mill converting renewables into hydrogen to power an industrial turbine. The turbine was trialed with a mix of 30% hydrogen and 70% natural gas, with further tests planned for spring 2023 that could bring this ratio up to 100%. Regarding this project, Garrett Quinn from Smurfit Kappa said “We are focused on reducing our emissions with the best available technology today, but equally this announcement demonstrates how we are focused on looking beyond 2030 and trialling new technology, such as hydrogen, today.” Other organizations have also announced plans to use hydrogen in their processes; Perstorp’s Stenungsund plant will be supplied with wastewater from a nearby municipal treatment plant in order to produce renewable hydrogen via electrolysis, and Ardagh Group are teaming up with Absolut Vodka to partially replace natural gas used in glass furnaces with green hydrogen. The completion of this project is indicative of the growing importance of renewable energy sources and the integral part they will play in achieving carbon neutrality. Dr Ertan Yilmaz from Siemens Energy commented: With the HYFLEXPOWER project we are showcasing that carbon-neutral and reliable power supply is possible – even for energy-intensive industries.

Summary

• Smurfit Kappa and the HYFLEXPOWER consortium have successfully completed the first stage of its research project on renewable energy.
• Absolut Vodka has made an agreement with Ardagh Group to facilitate the large-scale production of its vodka bottles at a partly hydrogen energy-fired glass furnace.
• Perstorp’s recent investment in a project to supply its Stenungsund plant with wastewater from a nearby municipal treatment plant is hoped to contribute towards the production of renewable hydrogen via electrolysis.

What percentage of natural gas will Ardagh Group replace with green hydrogen for large-scale production of Absolut Vodka bottles?

The percentage of natural gas Ardagh Group will replace with green hydrogen for large-scale production of Absolut Vodka bottles is 20%.

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Picture source: Marcell Viragh