Groupe E has just commissioned its green H₂ production plant, near the Schiffenen dam. The company is now carrying out the necessary tests and adjustments before being able to fully exploit the facilities. The new site should supply some 300 tpy of green H₂ for the decarbonization of industry and heavy mobility.

This is a new key stage in the energy transition: Groupe E has manufactured the first green H₂ molecules for industrial use in western Switzerland. A few days ago, the company commissioned the two electrolyzers, each with a power of 1 MW, installed on its new site, near the Schiffenen dam.

During the current test phase, the H₂ molecules are produced in small quantities and released into the atmosphere, without representing any danger for the population and the environment. These tests must in particular make it possible to check the proper functioning and reliability of the machines, as well as the quality of the H₂.

Then, Groupe E will commission the plant. During this second phase, which will last several months, the company's specialists will carry out onsite monitoring in order to optimize certain parameters and make the final fine adjustments. Once all the indicators are green, the site will be able to operate independently.

The Schiffenen H₂ power plant project is a first in western Switzerland. This plant brings together all the stages of the H₂ supply process on a single site. At the foot of the dam, the endowment turbine, which operates continuously to deliver a minimum flow of water for aquatic fauna, provides the electricity needed to produce H₂ by electrolysis of water. This system thus makes it possible to recover electricity produced in ribbons for some 8,000 hours per year. The H₂ is then compressed and stored under pressure in tanks that will be transported by road and delivered to customers in the region.

Groupe E plans a total production of 300 tpy of green H₂ without CO₂ emissions, which is the equivalent of the consumption of around 50 trucks in the field of logistics. Covering an area of ​​2,000 m2, the plant benefits from an ideal location, close to the A12 and A1 motorways. Coupled with good mastery of technology, the site offers all the safety guarantees necessary for the production, operation and delivery of H₂.

By investing nearly $10.24 MM in an innovative and sustainable project, Groupe E intends to support industry and heavy mobility in their efforts to reduce their CO₂ emissions and gain experience in the field of electricity storage. The realization of this local project thus embraces the vision of a low-carbon world supported by Groupe E.