ERM has selected NEL, the specialist hydrogen company, and Doosan, the South Korean multinational conglomerate, to work on the development of the PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolyser technology for use on the ERM Dolphyn offshore green hydrogen project.

ERM’s Dolphyn project, which is a first of its kind, is an innovative integrated floating system combining all of the technologies required to enable bulk scale hydrogen production from offshore wind in deep water.

The contract award covers assessment of the technology for use in an offshore environment on the Dolphyn semi-submersible 2MW platform, to be located off the coast of Aberdeen, and will be a world first application at this scale offshore.

“NEL’s leading technology and their experience of incorporating electrolysis on ships and submarines, together with Doosans world class engineering abilities around electrolyser integration make them an ideal partnership for this part of the project” said David Caine, ERM Dolphyn project manager. They will work alongside other project FEED contractors Tractebel Engie, who are developing the sub-structure and turbine design, and ODE who are designing the Dolphyn topsides.

The development plan for the project has a target date for the operational start-up of the 2MW prototype facility by summer 2024. A 10MW full scale pre-commercial facility is planned to follow by 2027, with full scale commercialisation shortly afterwards.