Launch of the EU project "EPHYRA" for the construction and operation of an innovative renewable hydrogen production facility
The official kick-off meeting of the project “EPHYRA”, regarding the construction and operation of an innovative renewable hydrogen production facility, that takes place on 21 and 22 September 2023 in Athens and Corinth. Funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the project will be coordinated by Motor Oil, with the participation of 9 partners from 7 countries (Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Greece). The project’s duration will be 5 years.
EPHYRA is a highly innovative and pioneering project as it will demonstrate an innovative hydrogen production facility (30 MW) at industrial scale, from renewable energy sources, by employing improved electrolysis technology. The large-scale electrolysis will be integrated with industrial operations within Motor Oil’s Corinth refinery in Aghioi Theodoroi, one of the leading refineries in Europe and the largest privately-owned industrial complex in Greece. It will supply renewable hydrogen to refinery’s processes at the refinery and other industrial units in the region, while part of the production will be directed towards the production of zero-emission fuels.
The industrially integrated renewable hydrogen production will be developed around the principles of sustainable development and circular economy, as the electrolyser will be coupled with (i) renewable electricity production, (ii) an innovative waste heat harvesting technology, (iii) water use environmental optimisation, (iv) valorisation of produced oxygen in current MOH Refinery operations, (v) a digital twin and (vi) a dedicated energy management system.
EPHYRA is expected to effectively contribute in achieving the targets for electrolysis technologies, as they are set out in the Clean Hydrogen Partnership’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. At the same time, it will boost the production of renewable hydrogen at the lowest possible cost, thus promoting the EU’s renewable hydrogen economy, industrial decarbonisation and the adoption of zero-emission fuels.
EPHYRA will be implemented by a strong consortium with robust research, innovation and industrial capabilities, ensuring the success of the project. The project partners are Motor Oil Hellas (MOH) – Coordinator, the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH-EKETA), The German Aerospace Center (DLR), ENERTIME (France), the Aragon Institute of Technology (ITAINNOVA), the STICHTING New Energy Coalition (NEC), Soluforce (Netherlands), RINA Consulting (Italy), Envirometrics (Greece) and Siemens Process Systems Engineering as an associated partner (United Kingdom).
Mr. George Triantafyllou, General Manager of Strategy of Motor Oil Group, said: “Motor Oil Group has entered an energy transition. The Group has already invested over €1 billion in sustainable energy production over the last two years, and it remains committed to the implementation of the largest energy transition investment plan in Southeast Europe, totaling €4 billion. The Groups’ strategy is aligned with the national agenda and the need for a green transition. The EPHYRA project confirms Motor Oil Group’s determination to play a leading role in consolidating the hydrogen market in Greece and our intention to partner with other forces to achieve ambitious projects that accelerate the transformation of the energy mix.”
Mr. Konstantinos Chatzifotis, Director of European Affairs of Motor Oil Group, commented: “Motor Oil Group is leading the future of energy by leading the way in the hydrogen sector, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by EU funding programmes in the field of innovation and research. The EPHYRA project further strengthens European synergies in the globally growing hydrogen market through the implementation of an innovative value proposition for the industrial symbiotic production of renewable hydrogen.”
Mirela Atanasiu, Executive Director ad Interim of Clean Hydrogen Partnership, said: “With its 30MW novel electrolyser technology, EPHYRA is an important flagship project for scaling-up of renewable hydrogen production and accelerating its deployment. Besides greening the refining process, green hydrogen will also be provided to the TRIERES Hydrogen Valley project. The Clean Hydrogen Partnership is proud to support both projects that create an integrated hydrogen ecosystem in Greece, the first of its kind in South-Eastern Europe.”
