2023-10-04 18:59:13
Group E inaugurated its new green hydrogen production site on Wednesday, an investment worth 9 million francs. The molecules are produced using renewable electricity from the Schiffenen dam (FR). This is a first in western Switzerland.
The inauguration took place on the site, in the presence of State Councilor Olivier Curty. She celebrated the “realization of an innovative project in favor of the energy transition”. “We are impatient to see the Confederation adopt a real strategy for hydrogen,” noted the Minister of Energy.
“The project will be a milestone,” rejoiced Jacques Mauron, director of Groupe E. “It’s a small power plant, but a giant step forward,” he added, comparing its contribution today to that of the Schiffenen arch dam, built in 1963. The infrastructure has been in service since August, following less than a year of work.
The energy necessary for its operation is provided by the turbine supplying the Schiffenen dam, which thus uses electricity from renewable sources produced for 8,000 hours per year. Group E plans a total production of 300 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, without CO2 emissions.
>> Pascal Jeannerat’s analysis in the 7:30 p.m.: Journalist Pascal Jeannerat’s analysis on the potential of hydrogen in Switzerland / 7:30 p.m. / 1 min. / today at 7:30 p.m.
Fifty buses or trucks
This volume is equivalent to the consumption of 50 buses or trucks. The installation will allow the group, active mainly in the cantons of Friborg and Neuchâtel, to acquire valuable experience in the field of hydrogen. Production must first of all contribute to the decarbonization of industry and transport.
A pilot project is also being carried out by Transports publics fribourgeois (TPF) and Groupe E, a group which employs some 2,600 employees. It consists of putting two fuel cell buses into service next year which will be operated, in the test phase, on the urban network of the Friborg metropolitan area.
Ultimately, hydrogen is also expected to play a role in electricity storage and contribute to Switzerland’s security of supply in winter. It will then constitute valuable support for hydraulic and photovoltaic production, which is lower during winter days.
Ideal location
Covering an area of 2,000 square meters, the plant benefits from an ideal location, according to Group E, close to the A12 and A1 motorways. Schiffenen, a dam in operation for almost 60 years, thus reinforces its status as a hotspot for carbon-free energy production in the canton of Fribourg.
In addition to the dam and the installation inaugurated on Wednesday, Group E plans to start the construction of an underground hydroelectric power station by 2030 powered by a pipeline connecting the lakes of Schiffenen and Morat. With some 100 GWh of additional electricity from renewable and local sources at stake.
The volume is equivalent to more than 20,000 households. With its new hydrogen power plant, Group E confirms, according to its own information, its status as leader in the energy transition in western Switzerland and “opens up to new development prospects”.
ats/ami
1696450989
#green #hydrogen #production #site #inaugurated #canton #Friborg #rts.ch
