Shell Deutschland GmbH has announced a Final Investment Decision to advance the REFHYNE II project, a 100-megawatt renewable proton-exchange membrane hydrogen electrolyser at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland in Germany. Scheduled to commence operations in 2027, REFHYNE II will utilise renewable electricity to produce up to 44,000 kilogrammes per day of renewable hydrogen, aiding in the partial decarbonisation of site operations.

This significant project has been facilitated by supportive policies, including the European Union’s binding targets for renewable hydrogen usage and the regulatory framework set by the German Federal Government. Additionally, REFHYNE II has received funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Strategic Commitment to Hydrogen Economy

Huibert Vigeveno, Shell’s Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions Director, emphasised the strategic importance of this investment: “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in delivering our strategy of more value with fewer emissions. Investing in REFHYNE II is a visible demonstration of our commitment to the hydrogen economy, which will play an important role in helping to decarbonise Shell’s operations and customer products. Our decision to invest illustrates what can be achieved with the right enabling conditions to deliver competitive projects.”

Decarbonising Operations and Beyond

The renewable hydrogen produced by REFHYNE II will be employed at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park to create energy products, such as transport fuels with lower carbon intensity. This initiative will significantly reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions at the Rheinland facility. In the long term, renewable hydrogen from REFHYNE II could be supplied directly to lower industrial emissions in the surrounding region as customer demand evolves.

Building on Previous Success

The REFHYNE II project builds on the success of the 10-megawatt PEM electrolyser REFHYNE I, which began operations in 2021 using the same advanced technology. Since the launch of REFHYNE I, Shell and its project partners, ITM and Linde, have been working on detailed engineering plans, on-site groundwork, and infrastructure connections to support REFHYNE II.

Experience and Collaboration

The project will benefit from the extensive experience Shell and its partners have gained from developing, constructing, and operating other renewable hydrogen projects across Europe. This collaborative effort underscores the potential of renewable hydrogen in achieving substantial emissions reductions and advancing the transition to a low-carbon energy system.

By investing in REFHYNE II, Shell continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to a sustainable energy future, leveraging advanced technology and strategic partnerships to drive the hydrogen economy forward.