Topsoe has officially opened its first solid oxide electrolysis cell(SOEC) manufacturing plant in Herning, Denmark. The facility becomes the largest of its kind in Europe and establishes a strong industrial production of green hydrogen.
Solid oxide electrolysis cells infrastructure and manufacturing
Designed with an initial annual production capacity of 500 MW, the plant can be expanded in the coming years to support up to 10 GW of installed capacity. The infrastructure will prevent up to 15 million tons of CO₂ emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of more than three million internal combustion vehicles.
The SOEC technology developed by Topsoe operates at higher temperatures than other types of electrolyzers, such as alkaline or proton exchange membrane electrolyzers. proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers.(PEM) ELECTROLYZERS. Through this, it achieves up to 30% higher efficiency if steam is integrated into the process, resulting in a lower levelized cost per megawatt of hydrogen produced.
This project has received significant financial support from the European Innovation Fund, with a contribution of 94 million euros. The plant is also aligned with the European bloc’s climate objectives, which focus on decarbonizing industries that are difficult to electrify, such as steel, cement and long-distance maritime and land transport.
Topsoe has signed sales contracts with First Ammonia for a project in Texas and with Forestal in Spain for the production of synthetic methanol. production of synthetic methanol. Both agreements include ten-year service warranties, reinforcing confidence in the reliability of SOEC technology for large-scale industrial applications.
The factory occupies 23,000 square meters and integrates advanced automation, precision engineering and materials science expertise. The SOEC cells produced will be exported mainly to projects in Europe and the United States, where there is a growing demand for green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as ammonia and synthetic fuels.
The opening ceremony was attended by Morten Bødskov, Danish Minister of Industry and Trade, together with representatives of European organizations such as CINEA and the Hydrogen Council. From the European Commission, Wopke Hoekstra and Dan Jørgensen also expressed their support through virtual interventions. Topsoe CEO Roeland Baan noted that this plant represents a crucial step forward in the industrial implementation of Power-to-X technologies.
With this investment, Topsoe strengthens its position as one of the world’s leading players in clean technologies. The company, founded in 1940 and headquartered in Denmark, reaffirms its commitment to applied innovation and the development of concrete solutions for the sustainable production of energy and chemicals.
Source and photo: Topsoe
