thyssenkrupp nucera is supplying electrolyzer modules to Swedish industrial start-up H2 Green Steel. They will be used in the construction of what the company claims will be Europe's first green steel mill. When completed, the total output of the production plant of coupled 20 MW modules is expected to exceed 700 MW.
According to the Dortmund-based plant manufacturer, the standardized 20 MW "scalum" electrolysis modules will enable an installed capacity of more than 700 MW. At the same time, this would create one of the largest water electrolysis plants in Europe.
The green hydrogen will be used to operate a new steel mill in Boden, northern Sweden. It is "digitized and cycle-oriented," he said. Operations are scheduled to begin in late 2025 and ramp up in 2026.
In the initial phase, the plant will produce 2.5 million tons of green steel, he said. By 2030, the Swedish company aims to increase production to around 5 million t.
Production start in 2025
For steel production, H2 Green Steel wants to use only green hydrogen produced on site at the Boden plant. There, he said, there is a constant supply of electricity from hydro and wind power.
"The electrolysis plant in Boden will be many times larger than most existing electrolyzer plants today. Combining our own strong technical expertise with that of a proven high-performance and high-efficiency electrolyzer like thyssenkrupp nucera's gives us a solid head start in the growing green hydrogen economy.
We will use it to transform heavy industry with its difficult-to-degrade process emissions. We are starting with steel in Boden, Sweden, but this is just the beginning," says Maria Persson Gulda, Chief Technology Officer H2 Green Steel.
Green hydrogen instead of coking coal
Alkaline water electrolysis technology to produce green hydrogen for direct reduction of iron can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 95% compared to conventional steelmaking, she adds. H2 Green Steel is the first company to reserve production capacity due to high demand at the electrolyzer manufacturer earlier this year, according to thyssenkrupp nucera.
"The market for green hydrogen production solutions is growing very dynamically. This development is also reflected in the demand for our large-scale and highly efficient water electrolysers with our 20 MW modules "scalum".
It is important for companies to reduce delivery times by continuously building up capacity, thus improving the plannability and feasibility of projects. By reserving production capacities, customers can secure access to these capacities and thus a decisive competitive advantage," says Dr. Christoph Noeres, Head of Green Hydrogen at thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA.
