Siemens Energy joins Ørsted’s FlagshipONE e-methanol project

Siemens Energy will provide FlagshipONE with four proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers with a combined capacity of 70 megawatts (MW) for green hydrogen production at the plant.

PHOTO: Model of Ørsted's commercial-scale green methanol production plant FlagshipONE in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Liquid Wind

Green electromethanol (e-methanol) is made by combining 100% biogenic carbon dioxide with green hydrogen. It can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 95% compared to conventional marine fuels on a well-to-wake basis.

Siemens Energy will provide technological support and “plant-wide electrification and automation systems” for the project.

Hydrogen and alternative fuels such as e-methanol are key to the energy transition, argues Siemens Energy’s member of the executive board for transformation of industry Anne-Laure de Chammard.

FlagshipONE started as a joint venture between energy companies Ørsted and Liquid Wind, but Ørsted acquired full ownership of the project last December. It aims to produce 50,000 mt/year of e-methanol as a marine fuel by 2025.

Ørsted’s chief commercial officer for power-to-x (P2X) James Henry told ENGINE last month that there are more e-methanol projects in Ørsted's pipeline that will be operational by the middle of this decade.

Liquid Wind is building two more e-methanol plants to meet growing methanol bunkering demand. FlagshipTWO will produce 100,000 mt/year of green e-methanol by 2025. While the third plant's capacity has not been specified, e-methanol production there is expected to start in 2026.

By Konica Bhatt

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