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Finish companies partner to develop an industrial H2 valley
Neste Corporation, Gasgrid Finland, Helen and Vantaa Energy have in collaboration started preliminary studies on the development of an industrial H2 valley in the Uusimaa region, Finland. This joint effort is a step forward in driving Finland towards a leading H2 economy in Europe that creates industrial investment opportunities and supports Finland’s and Europe’s carbon neutrality goals.
The industrial H2 valley would combine infrastructure, storage and transmission of renewable H2, serving both producers and consumers of H2. In addition, sector integration opportunities are a key element in the studies. In connection with the renewable H2 production, significant amounts of renewable heat are generated that can be utilized in district heating.
Collaboration between companies plays a key role in the H2 economy development in Finland, as also highlighted in the national resolution of H2 adopted by the Finnish Government in February 2023.
“Today Neste is the biggest H2 consumer in Finland. We need renewable H2 to reach our climate commitments, (e.g., reaching carbon neutral production by 2035). H2 is an essential part of our processes and an efficiently functioning H2 valley would be a great way to source H2 in the future. Building up both the power infrastructure as well as H2 storage and distribution infrastructure are key enablers for the H2 economy development. By being open to collaboration and seeking partnerships we discover new paths and unlock a world of interesting possibilities,” said Outi Ervasti, Vice President, Renewable H2 at Neste.
To the Finnish H2 economy to be competitive in a global context, cost efficient solutions for H2 transmission and storage are needed. The feasibility of different H2 transmission and storage options will be evaluated as the first steps towards developing a well-functioning H2 market. H2 transmission infrastructure contributes to the emergence of a competitive H2 market.
“Gasgrid Finland promotes the development of the national H2 network, international infrastructure cooperation and the H2 market in the Baltic Sea region. Our task is to support industrial investments and develop a H2 pipeline that connects H2 producers and consumers,” said Sara Kärki, SVP, H2 Development of Gasgrid Finland.
“Helen has an ambition to become a major player in the H2 economy and is planning large-scale H2 production at Helen’s Vuosaari power plant area in Helsinki alongside with the 3H2 demonstration project that is waiting for a funding decision from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Helen is also studying the possibility of carbon capture, utilization, and storage in the new Vuosaari bioenergy heating plant. H2, bio-based carbon dioxide and large-scale wind and solar power production are the key building blocks for various carbon neutral solutions,” said Sari Mannonen, Senior Vice President, Solution Business and Portfolio Development of Helen.
“Vantaa Energy aims to become a carbon negative energy company by 2030 taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the circular economy. Renewable H2 is a key enabler for new processes such as carbon capture and utilization that are needed to harness unavoidable emissions e.g., from our Waste to Energy -business operations to further use. In addition, H2 production next to the district heating network enables waste heat utilization and contributes to the decarbonization of the Helsinki metropolitan area by reducing emissions of district heating,” stated Kalle Patomeri, Business Director of Vantaa Energy.
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