Shell Deutschland GmbH has made the final investment decision for REFHYNE II, a 100-megawatt hydrogen electrolyzer with polymer electrolyte membrane technology (PEM) in the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rhineland. Using renewable electricity, REFHYNE II is expected to produce up to 44,000 kg/d of renewable hydrogen to partially decarbonize site operations. The plant is scheduled to go into operation in 2027.
The REFHYNE II project was made possible by supportive national and European measures, including the European Union’s (EU) binding targets for the use of renewable hydrogen in industry and transport, as well as the Federal Government’s regulatory framework. The project is also funded by the EU research and innovation program Horizon 2020.
“Today’s announcement is an important milestone in implementing our strategy to create more value with fewer emissions. The investment in REFHYNE II is tangible evidence of our commitment to the hydrogen economy, which will play an important role in decarbonizing both our own operations and of products for our customers,” said Huibert Vigeveno, Director of Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions at Shell. “Our investment decision shows what can be achieved with the right framework conditions to realize competitive projects.”
Renewable hydrogen from REFHYNE II will be used in the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rhineland to produce energy products such as fuels with lower carbon intensity. In the longer term, as customer demand evolves, renewable hydrogen from REFHYNE II could be delivered directly to reduce industrial emissions in the region.
The project benefits from the experience that Shell and its partners ITM and Linde have in developing, building and operating other renewable hydrogen projects in Europe. REFHYNE II follows on from the success of the 10-megawatt PEM electrolyser REFHYNE I, which went into operation at Shell in the Rhineland in 2021 and uses the same technology. The detailed technical plans as well as all necessary earthworks and the connection to the existing infrastructure have been prepared for the new project since 2021.
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