PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australian energy major Woodside has awarded a near A$90-million contract to Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser AS, a subsidiary of Nel ASA, for the alkaline electrolyser equipment for its proposed hydrogen project in Ardmore, Oklahoma, known as H2OK.

The H2OK project involves construction of an initial 290 MW facility, which will use electrolysis to produce up to 90 t/d of liquid hydrogen for the heavy transport sector. The location  in Ardmore offers the capacity for expansion up to 550 MW and 180 t/d.

Woodside executive VP for new energy Shaun Gregory said the contract award was an important step forward for H2OK, which would be Woodside’s first hydrogen project globally.

“The signing of the alkaline electrolyser contract is progress toward Woodside realising its ambition to build a New Energy business in the US. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the drive to accelerate the energy transition in the US is underway, and Woodside aims to be part of that.

“H2OK is strategically located close to national highways and the supply chain infrastructure of major transport companies. That positions H2OK to supply customers with the reliable, affordable and lower-carbon energy they are seeking,” he said.

The alkaline electrolyser equipment would support phase 1 of the H2OK project, designed to produce 90 t/d.

“We are extremely proud to be elected by Woodside Energy, a quality company with a strong track record of developing high-quality assets, for this exciting and meaningful project,” said Nel CEO Håkon Volldal.

The electrolyser stacks will be manufactured at Nel’s factory in Herøya, the world’s only fully automated electrolyser facility. When completed, the electrolyser plant will have a nameplate capacity of about 64 000 kg/d of hydrogen. Front end engineering design for H2OK is targeted for completion this year, and Woodside is aiming to take a final investment decision in 2023.

The company is also looking to expand its New Energy footprint in the US, and is working on two proposed hydrogen projects in Australia - H2Perth and H2TAS.