Ørsted Breaks Ground on Europe’s Largest e-Methanol Plant

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Credits: Ørsted

Danish offshore wind developer Ørsted has started the construction of FlagshipONE, Europe’s largest e-methanol project, reports Marine Insight.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 24 May in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, in the presence of political and partner companies representatives.

New green era of shipping

According to Ørsted, the groundbreaking marks the first steps in a new green era of shipping, where large-scale methanol production facilities will supply growing fleet of methanol-powered vessels, which currently counts 110 vessels on order or in operation, up from 80 vessels at the end of 2022.

FlagshipONE is located on the grounds of the biomass-fired combined heat and power plant Hörneborgsverket in Örnsköldsvik, operated by Övik Energi. As explained, the e-methanol from FlagshipONE will be produced using renewable electricity and biogenic carbon dioxide captured from Hörneborgsverket.

In addition, the project will use steam, process water, and cooling water from Hörneborgsverket, and excess heat from the e-methanol production process will be delivered back to Övik Energi and integrated into their district heating supply.

FlagshipONE

Originally developed by Liquid Wind, FlagshipONE was acquired by Ørsted in December 2022 and the final investment decision (FID) was reached.

Carbon Clean will supply the carbon capture equipment while the technology package for the facility will come from German company Siemens Energy. The package comprises four proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers with a total capacity of 70 megawatts (MW), as well as the plant-wide electrification and automation systems, including innovative digitalisation solutions (such as the use of digital twins), and the entire power distribution and compressor systems.

Expected to become operational in 2025, FlagshipONE will produce around 50,000 tonnes of e-methanol each year.

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Source: Marine Insight