Hitachi Energy announced that it has delivered the “E-House” power station to the European steel manufacturing company OVACO, one of the largest steel recycling companies in the Nordic countries, in order to deliver electrical current to a analyzer with a capacity of up to To 20 MW in Hofors, Sweden.
This is the first factory in the world to heat steel with hydrogen before rolling it. Hydrogen is used to supply fuel cell trucks, and excess heat from the factory is used for central heating.
A press release issued by the international company “Hitachi Energy” explained, “This achievement comes as a result of cooperation between the companies (Hitachi Energy) and (Ovaco), the (Volvo) Group, (H2 Green Steel), and (Nel Hydrogen), which It was announced in the summer of 2021.
The initiative also has support from the Swedish Energy Agency; “With the aim of establishing the use of green hydrogen on an industrial scale, increasing knowledge about the fuel’s potential, and achieving cost-effective production.”
Hitachi Energy is present in more than 90 countries, with its headquarters in Switzerland, and its business volume amounts to about $10 billion.
n this context, Mohamed Hosseini, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy (Egypt and North Africa), said that this project “represents a milestone in its ability to significantly reduce global emissions, as the journey continues in Sweden and the world together.” He added: “We are committed to continuing to push the boundaries of innovation by providing consulting services and pioneering technologies to accelerate the energy transition, and our solutions for the hydrogen sector support the generation of clean, efficient and reliable energy.”
For his part, Marcus Hedblom, President and CEO of Ofaco, said: “The hydrogen plant contributes to strengthening Sweden’s position in the field of sustainable innovations, as there is a growing demand for carbon-neutral steel, of which we occupy a leading position in its production. There is also great interest in these types of new solutions within the industry. Now, we are charting the way forward towards manufacturing high-quality industrial heat completely free of fossil fuels, and not just for steel.”
Hitachi Energy focuses its interests on developing innovative products, solutions and services that will support the transition to clean energy for both customers and partners, including ways to harness green hydrogen for a carbon-free future. Green hydrogen is a new and complementary component in the field of electricity. Thanks to its extensive experience in grid connectivity and power quality solutions, the company can add significant value by developing pioneering technologies that contribute to achieving integration between renewable energy sources, high power quality, and reliable and resilient power networks.
It was opened by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Japanese Ambassador Nok Masaki, President and CEO of Ofaco, Markus Hedblom, and key representatives from Hitachi Energy, Volvo Group, H2 Green Steel, and Nel Hydrogen. A hydrogen plant inside Hofors Station on September 5, 2023.
