Analysis of the operation of integrated system for hydrogen production from seawater on offshore platform

In response to the growing importance of hydrogen technologies and the need for the development of sustainable energy sources, ORLEN Petrobaltic initiated an innovative research and development project entitled “Development and Advancement of an Integrated System for Hydrogen Production from Seawater on an Offshore Platform”, carried out in cooperation with AGH University of Science and Technology Energy Centre and the Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology. The aim of the project is to develop, construct, and test under operational conditions an integrated system for green hydrogen production from seawater, covering all stages of the process from water treatment, through electrolysis and hydrogen storage, to its energetic utilization. One of the key components of the installation is the desalination module, integrating advanced flotation, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, thermal desalination, and electrodeionization technologies, enabling the production of ultrapure water compliant with the requirements of PEM electrolyzers. The desalination module system applies a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) approach, ensuring complete elimination of liquid waste and recovery of salts in solid form. The produced hydrogen (approximately 10 kg H₂/day) is stored in high-pressure cylinders and subsequently utilized in an energy module comprising in gas microturbine (65 kW) and diesel engine (32 kW), adapted for the combustion of hydrogen mixtures with natural gas and diesel fuel. The project constitutes a demonstration of a Power-to-Gas (P2G) system in a marine environment, utilizing seawater as a feedstock for green hydrogen production. Additional research objectives include the analysis of hydrogen impact on infrastructure, optimization of CO₂ emissions, and management of by-products in accordance with circular economy principles. The developed system represents a unique and scalable technological solution for the advancement of the hydrogen economy, distributed energy systems, and the energy transition aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Polish Hydrogen Strategy to 2030.