IMI is set to provide a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for a new H2 refueling station at the Port of Klaipėda in Lithuania, to be developed by EPC contractor MT Group. This groundbreaking project will position the Port of Klaipėda as the first in the Baltic region to produce green H2 onsite.
MT Group is a leading EPC contractor in critical energy and industrial infrastructure projects across Europe. The company's expertise extends to the development, engineering, and construction of renewable energy, H2, and carbon capture facilities, positioning MT Group at the forefront of sustainable engineering. The company is also a founding partner in one of the largest renewable energy undertakings in the world – Green Energy Park Global, which will produce some of the most cost competitive green H2 at the gigawatts scale, servicing the decarbonization needs of the hard to abate sectors, including transport and power across Europe and elsewhere around the world.
The IMI VIVO electrolyzer will enable the port, which is the second largest EU port by tonnage in the Baltic, to produce 500 kg/d of green H2 onsite. This is equivalent to 127 tpy while using an electrical input of 3 MW, drawn from sustainable sources. Onsite production helps to reduce the need for transportation and storage of H2, while also reducing associated emissions.
With the European Green Deal requiring ports to achieve a 90% reduction in transport emissions by 2050, operators are under pressure to make advances towards greener solutions. The H2 produced by the electrolyzer will be used to fuel vessels as well as shore-side equipment.
IMI’s VIVO Electrolyzer offers full customization in size, capacity, and configuration, ranging from 100 kW to 5 MW, with potential for further expansion to 20 MW through a modular configuration. As a result, the solution specified by IMI was able to meet the exact requirements of the brief set out for this project. The customization offerings were attractive to both the Lithuanian EPC contractor MT Group and the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, which selected IMI as the preferred choice for this project partly due to the flexible nature of the product.
Mauro Natalini, Sales & Business Development Manager at IMI, said, “Electrolyzers can provide huge benefits to the marine sector, and help to meet the stringent targets set out by the EU as part of the European Green Deal.
“We’ve been working closely with both MT Group and the Seaport Authority throughout this process, with some of their technicians recently visiting our manufacturing site in Sardinia to see the electrolyzer production process in person. This cements our strong bond, as we both strive to help accelerate the use of green H2 in the Baltic region. It also reflects our commitment to working with our clients to help deliver solutions that enable emissions reductions in key industries.”
Mindaugas Zakaras, CEO of MT Group, said, “As part of our vision to encourage sustainability, we are committed to making the new H2 refueling station in Klaipėda a benchmark for the entire industry. This will be achieved by using the most innovative technology to maximize capacity while meeting the highest quality and safety standards.
“IMI was able to provide us with a prompt response and technical expertise alongside their customizable solution. This was exactly why we chose to partner with them on this exciting project.”