Uniper prepares for hydrogen ready plant

Immediately after ignition, the two cooling towers fell toward each other as planned. Around 15 000 t of concrete will be processed on-site and recycled into construction material, which will then be used to backfill the excavation pits.

Dr. Arne Bayer, Head of Asset Development, commented: “Decommissioning projects like this are technically demanding and place high requirements on planning and execution. All the more reason to thank the entire team and our partners for their professional work. Decommissioning is not an end, but creates space for new things: at Scholven, we are paving the way for a future-proof energy infrastructure and for Uniper’s commitment to continuing to supply Germany reliably with clean, flexible, and dispatchable electricity.”

Cooling towers G and H at the Scholven power plant had already been successfully demolished using the same proven demolition method in 2008 and 2015. In 2025, cooling tower F, the turbine table in machine room F, boiler house F, and the flue gas denitrification system (DeNOx) were also demolished.

A new hydrogen-capable combined-cycle gas turbine plant (CCGT plant) is to be built on the site of the demolished cooling towers. The project is earmarked for participation in the planned auctions under the StromVKG and is a key element of the transformation at the Scholven site. The modern CCGT plant is designed to eventually use hydrogen as well, thereby making an important contribution to decarbonisation and to securing electricity supply in an energy system increasingly shaped by renewable energies.

Another key transformation project at the Scholven site is the ammonia demonstration cracker. In cooperation with thyssenkrupp Uhde, Uniper is creating the foundation for scaling ammonia cracking technology. The goal is to eventually enable up to six commercial plants for the hydrogen import terminal in Wilhelmshaven that efficiently convert imported ammonia into hydrogen. The project thus makes an important contribution to establishing robust import routes for green hydrogen and to supplying industry and the energy system.

Today’s demolition was carried out by Thüringer Sprenggesellschaft, a specialist company with over 30 years of experience. Safety was the top priority throughout. In close coordination with the responsible authorities, the city of Gelsenkirchen, grid operator Amprion, and neighbouring companies, Uniper and demolition firm Regrata implemented a comprehensive safety concept.

An exclusion zone of over 300 m was established around the cooling towers. Buerelterstraße and Feldhauser Straße had to be closed during the demolition. No evacuation of local residents was required; they were informed in advance in writing about the safety measures and behavioural guidelines.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/11052026/uniper-prepares-for-hydrogen-ready-plant/