Hydrogen production unit from biomass is up and running in France

The facility will produce enough hydrogen to cover 12 million km per year with hydrogen vehicles.
Foto referencial de la unidad de producción de hidrógeno a partir de biomasa

Haffner Energy has commissioned its biomass-derived hydrogen production unit in Marolles, France. This facility marks a step forward in generating clean hydrogen at lower cost and with a reduced carbon footprint.

About the new hydrogen production unit

The new unit has a production capacity of up to 15 kilograms of hydrogen per hour . Initially, this production will be limited to 11 kg/h due to the PSA purification equipment in use, but it is expected that in the coming months it will be replaced by a more advanced system. Currently, the unit already produces hydrogen at a pressure of 8 bars, which will allow its commercial distribution from the second half of 2025.

To get up and running, the plant required connection to the medium-voltage power grid and the collaboration of engineers specialising in hydrogen purification. It also has a compressor that will raise the pressure to 35 bars to feed a distribution station supplied by HRS.

Biomass thermolysis technology

The biomass thermolysis technology used by Haffner Energy enables the production of renewable hydrogen at significantly lower costs compared to conventional methods such as electrolysis . The energy efficiency of the process exceeds 70% and the primary energy used has costs below €30/MWh, making it a competitive alternative to grey hydrogen.

One of the main environmental benefits of this model is carbon capture . It is estimated that the Marolles plant will avoid or capture approximately 2,400 metric tons of CO₂ per year through the production of biochar. In addition, the annual production of 120 metric tons of hydrogen will allow for a considerable reduction in emissions in industrial and transportation sectors.

Future perspectives

The success of this production unit represents a significant boost for Haffner Energy in the hydrogen market. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of 90 tonnes of hydrogen per year, primarily for sustainable mobility. The operational validation of this plant will also open up opportunities for new commercial agreements and enable testing with different types of biomass , including agricultural waste and algae .

Despite a global context with challenges in the development of the hydrogen market, Haffner Energy strengthens its position with a technologically advanced and economically viable solution. With this initiative, the company contributes to the decarbonization of industry and transport, while moving towards a more sustainable energy future.

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Source and photo: Haffner Energy