Pilot project in Antwerp port area to demonstrate feasibility
With the help of an ambitious climate plan, Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen plays an important role in this transition. The port therefore wants to take a leading position in the local and international hydrogen economy. In collaboration with Imtech, Remeha and Solencopower, a pilot project has been started in one of the port buildings with a heating boiler that runs entirely on green hydrogen. This is to demonstrate the feasibility of this climate-neutral technology. It is the first time that such a boiler is used in Belgium for a workshop of such a size.? ?
Hydrogen boiler for workshop of 1430m³
Recently, one of the workshops of the NOC (Nautical Operational Cluster), the operational nerve center of Port of Antwerp Bruges, has been heated using a hydrogen boiler that runs on 100% green hydrogen, making it climate neutral. The use of such a boiler for a building of this caliber is a first in Belgium. The Schildershal, a workshop of 1430m³, is used, among other things, for painting work on infrastructure such as parts of locks. This project, which emerged from an idea at the end of 2019, is a collaboration between Imtech (contractor), Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Tractebel (design team), Remeha (boiler manufacturer) and Solencopower (producer).
100% green
The green hydrogen is generated entirely from renewable energy sources: 70% comes from locally generated green energy, from surplus solar panels, while the remaining 30% is obtained through green energy purchases from the grid. An electrolyser with a power of 30 kW uses this green energy to split 134 liters of water per day into hydrogen gas, which is stored in 8 bottles. This gas serves as fuel for the hydrogen boiler with a capacity of 24 kW, which then heats the Schildershal. In addition, 80% of the residual heat produced by the electrolyser will be recovered to provide additional heating to the hall.
During a harsh winter day, the boiler uses 10 kg of hydrogen, which is almost equivalent to the consumption of two fully charged hydrogen cars. The capacity of the boiler corresponds to the amount of heat required to heat two single-family homes.
Ambitious climate plan
Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to be climate neutral by 2050 through an ambitious climate plan. Switching to green energy and raw materials for our own fleet and buildings is an essential part of this plan. A specific target is to reduce CO2 emissions from building heating by 92% by 2030.
The Schildershal project is part of this initiative and acts as a pilot project to test the feasibility and technological knowledge for replacing existing heating installations that run on fossil fuels. This is especially relevant in situations where a heat pump is not always easy to integrate or cannot provide the complete solution.
Leadership position in hydrogen economy
The role of hydrogen in the transition to climate neutrality is crucial. As a world port, Port of Antwerp-Bruges strives to take a leading position within both the local and international hydrogen economy. This is supported by three important pillars: local production and import of hydrogen, the development of infrastructure for distribution, and facilitating consumption and transport to end users in the hinterland.
This project, which has received a grant from the Horizon 2020 EU research and innovation funding programme, is part of PIONEERS , an initiative that implements greening projects in ports.
Rob Smeets, Chief Operation Officer, Port of Antwerp-Bruges : “ Thanks to the passionate efforts of our team and in collaboration with our partners, we have been able to develop this new application. Through these types of innovative projects, we work together with the industry on the port of the future and give the hydrogen economy an important boost.”
Annick De Ridder, chairman of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges : “In the operational nerve center of our port, the NOC, a hydrogen boiler now runs on 100% green hydrogen. The use of such a boiler for a building of this caliber is an absolute first. The green hydrogen for this boiler is generated entirely from renewable energy sources, 70% of which is generated locally. This scoop clearly demonstrates how we, as a world port and as the economic engine of Flanders, fulfill our pioneering role in the energy transition. We do this by innovating, pioneering and working together.”
Yves Vanpoucke - Business Development Director BNL : ''To achieve the 2050 climate goals, Remeha believes in several paths to sustainability. Not one all-determining indoor climate solution, but solutions that already have an impact and are prepared for a CO2-neutral future. Feasible and realistic. We see hydrogen gas and green gas as an alternative to natural gas and storage of sustainably generated energy. As part of the BDR Thermea Group, we have the knowledge, technology and strength to accelerate the energy transition. This pilot hydrogen project in the Antwerp port area is a good example of this.”
