Haffner Energy commissioned its hydrogen from biomass production unit in Marolles, France

This technology enables the production of renewable hydrogen at a substantially lower cost compared to conventional methods, while reducing CO2 emissions.

“Achieving the continuous production of competitive green hydrogen is a decisive step. Currently, the industry faces significant delays due to the excessive cost of decarbonised hydrogen. We are confident that our solution will accelerate the adoption of renewable hydrogen and enhance the sector’s competitiveness,” stated Philippe Haffner, Co-founder and CEO of Haffner Energy.

A flexible and economically advantageous production model

The site’s production capacity will be 15 kg/h of hydrogen, with an initial phase temporarily limited to 11 kg/h due to the existing pressure swing adsorption (PSA) purification equipment. This equipment will be replaced in the coming months by a PSA designed to reach a 15 kg/h capacity. The unit already produces hydrogen at 8 bar pressure, ready for commercial distribution starting in the 2H25 to serve transportation and industrial markets.

Anticipated since late 2024, this commissioning required the site to be connected to the medium-voltage electrical grid, which was completed earlier this year, followed by the on-site presence of commissioning engineers focused on the main equipment suppliers for hydrogen purification.

The biomass thermolysis unit, operational since June 2024, exceeds the capacity required to produce 15 kg/h of hydrogen. The new PSA, already received by Haffner Energy, will be complemented by a compressor reaching 35 bar pressure, supplying a H14 distribution station provided by HRS.

Marolles is designed to operate 8000 h/y. As part of this site’s operations, 120 tpy of mobility-grade hydrogen (15 kg/hour) will be produced, contributing to the decarbonisation of mobility and industry. This is equivalent to 12 million km travelled with hydrogen vehicles. Approximately 2400 tpy of CO2 will be avoided or captured through hydrogen and biocarbon (char or biochar) combined.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the offtake has been signed for the supply of 90 tpy of hydrogen, mainly for mobility applications, which is designed to ensure a commercial outlet within the next few months.

Hydrogen production from residual solid biomass

The scaling up of Haffner Energy’s proprietary biomass thermolysis technology is poised to disrupt the global and French renewable hydrogen markets, facilitating accelerated commercial and industrial development. This technology offers several key advantages:

• Capable of competing with grey hydrogen for installations of 20 MW and above.
• Hydrogen from biomass thermolysis is cheaper to produce than hydrogen from the electrolysis of water due to low primary energy costs (<€30 MW/h and often even <€20 MW/h, compared with >€70 MW/h for decarbonised electricity) and optimal energy efficiency (generally >70%).
• Unlike electrolysis, thermolysis is minimally dependent on electricity availability and cost, ensuring stable and predictable production.
• This technology sequesters biogenic carbon through biochar co-production, achieving a negative carbon footprint when considering the full LCA.
• This biomass-agnostic technology is able to utilise various residual biomasses, in particular from agriculture, ensuring greater autonomy and resilience against feedstock market fluctuations while significantly expanding available resources.

Towards commercial and industrial expansion

The commissioning of the Marolles unit accelerates commercial discussions with several partners interested in this disruptive technology and will enable the company’s project pipeline to be converted into firm orders, thereby generating revenue. In particular, the effective commissioning of the site is a catalyst for finalising the signing of two major contracts.

The continuous operation of hydrogen and renewable gas production equipment on site will also enable Haffner Energy’s team to conduct tests using specific biomasses for each potential client, including non-conventional biomasses such as organic sludge, manure, and algae, thereby confirming the compatibility of Haffner Energy’s technology.

Furthermore, Haffner Energy is now positioned to leverage a previously untapped technological solution that converts hydrogen into electricity at an extremely competitive cost, which is highly valuable during peak consumption periods.

Despite a global context that remains unfavourable to the development of the hydrogen market, particularly in Europe and in France where the national hydrogen strategy has yet to be announced, Haffner Energy’s position in this high-potential market is now strengthened.¬

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/27022025/haffner-energy-commissioned-its-hydrogen-from-biomass-production-unit-in-marolles-france/