One renewable energy producer replaces another at Herøya Industrial Park. NEL is planning to launch a pilot system for electrolysis production next year, in 2021, in the same industrial halls where REC used to produce wafers for the solar industry.
Efficient organisation
Arild Berdalen, Industrial Project Director at NEL, is very pleased with the efficient organisation at the industrial park.
“The building and the industrial hall suit us very well. We can find all the skills that we need in the locality, and not least we have a power supply in place. We are an energy-processing industry and need a lot of energy. We have capacity to spare here, three times the amount we need. All of this makes establishment very efficient,” says Arild Berdalen, Industrial Project Director at NEL.
When will you be starting to install equipment?
“We are planning to start installing the production equipment in summer,” says Berdalen.
Minor adjustments
Arne J. Restad, project manager at Herøya Industripark AS, describes demolition work and minor adjustments, plus a small annex that has to be constructed.
NEL’s own 3D models show where conduits and equipment for the pilot facility are to be installed. Project coordinator Thore Larsen is organising and also managing demolition activities in partnership with Pors gjerdefabrikk and Norsk Sanering.
Finalising the process equipment
What are you specifically doing now at NEL?
“The most important thing now is to finalise the process equipment that we will be installing on the premises and adapting the facilities to the equipment, deciding on positions and security,” says Berdalen. NEL is preparing for automation.
First fully automatic pilot production
“This is a pilot system,” explains Arild Berdalen. “We will be running fully automated production for the first time. Everything is done manually at the factory in Notodden, but now we are shifting up a gear. Here, we will be starting the first fully automated facility for the production of catalysers with a view to delivering efficient, clean energy to customers worldwide.
Secured valuable expertise
Arild Berdalen explains that they have secured valuable expertise, personnel who have previously worked at REC Solar.
Berdalen indicates that the plant will be capable of producing around 36,640 electrode plates every 24 hours, which is equivalent to 160 electrolysers providing 1 tonne of hydrogen, which in turn is equivalent to 2.2 MW each. Electrode plates are sent straight out to customers, together with a diaphragm that they buy. And the electrolysers are installed on site on customers’ premises.
Secret recipe - the biggest electrodes
“Coca-Cola and NEL have something in common,” says Berdalen with a smile.
“They both have a secret recipe and design. The mix of chemicals is our big secret. And we have the biggest electrodes available at present which provide the biggest volume of clean, renewable energy.”
04. March 2020
