Geothermal Energy Used for Hydrogen Production

A pilot project in Iceland has shown that the cost of hydrogen production using geothermal energy could be as low as one-third of the cost of green hydrogen production in Europe. The project, conducted by Syntholene, developed a platform for hydrogen production using geothermal energy and analyzed its cost. A financial analysis by Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) found that Syntholene’s geothermal integrated hydrogen production platform could produce hydrogen at a cost of approximately $1.75/kg in the best-case scenario and around $2.10/kg in wider distribution conditions.

The project aims to demonstrate a low-emission route for hydrogen production by combining geothermal heat and energy with high-temperature solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) technology. Syntholene operates a demonstration facility in Húsavík, Iceland, which has achieved the first successful operation of a geothermal integrated hydrogen production system. The company plans to use data from the demonstration facility to support the commercial-scale deployment of hydrogen and e-fuel technologies in the future.

Meanwhile, thyssenkrupp nucera of Germany and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) of India have signed a strategic partnership agreement to produce alkaline water electrolyzers for green hydrogen projects in India. Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to localize alkaline electrolyzer module production in India and support the implementation of green hydrogen projects.

Additionally, Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have announced plans to establish a joint venture to develop and commercialize a fully electric hydrogen fuel cell engine. The two companies aim to accelerate technology development, design, testing, and certification processes through this joint venture.

French hydrogen producer Lhyfe has taken delivery of 10 new containers from Hexagon Purus, which include new 84 Type IV tube trailers for hydrogen transportation. The company used this fleet to complete over 1,000 deliveries in 2025 and supplied green hydrogen to nine European countries.

The European Commission has published the draft terms and conditions for its fourth hydrogen auction. The European Hydrogen Bank will launch this auction soon.

Source: PV Magazine