Saipem launches marine renewables-powered solution for offshore green hydrogen production

The Italian multinational oilfield services company Saipem has launched SUISO, a technological solution that combines floating wind, floating solar, and marine energy to power the production of green hydrogen on existing offshore platforms.

Combining various renewable energy sources in a single system, the aim of SUISO is to power, together or individually, electrolyzes installed on existing offshore platforms for the production of green hydrogen, according to Saipem.

The technology responds to the growing demand for green hydrogen production and, at the same time, it allows the conversion of oil & gas offshore facilities which have now reached the end of their life cycle, the company noted.

Saipem also said the oxygen resulting from this process can be used in various areas such as aquaculture or seaweed production.

Thanks to these features, SUISO will find its first application in the AGNES project, the offshore energy hub that Saipem, in partnership with QINT’X, plans to build off the Adriatic coast of Ravenna.

Francesco Caio, CEO of Saipem, said: “The SUISO brand is an example of Saipem’s ability to find innovative and sustainable solutions to lead its clients in the energy transition. The solution is adaptable to the changing characteristics of the marine sites and to the different production needs.

“The know-how gained in the design and execution of infrastructures and technologically advanced plants allows Saipem to cover the green hydrogen production value chain and to be a strategic partner in the path towards a net zero economy”.

The AGNES project is planned to include approximately 56 turbines on fixed foundations at two different sites, respectively located more than 8 and 12 nautical miles offshore Ravenna in the Adriatic Sea.

At the time of the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the AGNES project in August 2020, Saipem said the project would entail innovations such as floating solar technology based on the proprietary technology of Moss Maritime will be used.

More recently, Saipem finalised the agreement to acquire floating offshore wind business of France’s Naval Energies.

Saipem acquired from Naval Energies the activities in the floating wind energy sector relating to the engineering know-how of floating units, the related intellectual property rights and integrated a dedicated team of Naval Energies with expertise in modelling and simulation into its organization.