Behind Total & Air Liquide’s Hydrogen Decarbonisation Collab

Green hydrogen is a key component in achieving decarbonisation, thanks to the fact it is produced using renewable energy sources, resulting in zero greenhouse gas emissions when burned.

Unlike grey hydrogen — hydrogen produced from fossil fuels — green hydrogen is generated by splitting water molecules using electricity from renewable sources, emitting only oxygen as a byproduct.

This is a technology TotalEnergies is planning to deploy at full force in a bid to reach its 2030 ambition to decarbonise the hydrogen used in its European refineries.

How is TotalEnergies planning on decarbonising its refineries?

Aiming to slash CO₂ emissions by 450,000 tons at its refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands, TotalEnergies is partnering with a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry to make this ambition a reality.

By working with Air Liquide, TotalEnergies will produce 45,000 tons of green hydrogen each year. 

This partnership involves two major projects in the Netherlands, with hydrogen generated using renewable power primarily from the OranjeWind offshore wind farm — a joint venture between TotalEnergies and RWE.

The Zeeland Project

The first project involves the construction of a 250MW electrolyser near the Zeeland refinery.

This facility, operated by a joint venture equally owned by TotalEnergies and Air Liquide, will produce up to 30,000 tons of green hydrogen per year. 

Set to be commissioned in 2029, this electrolyser is expected to reduce the site’s CO₂ emissions by 300,000 tons annually.

The Antwerp Project

The second project, part of Air Liquide’s 200MW ELYgator electrolyser initiative, will supply TotalEnergies’ Antwerp platform with 15,000 tons of green hydrogen each year.

This involves a tolling agreement where TotalEnergies will provide renewable electricity from the OranjeWind project to Air Liquide for hydrogen production. 

Expected to be operational by late 2027, this project aims to cut CO₂ emissions at the Antwerp site by up to 150,000 tons per year.

Vincent Stoquart, President, Refining and Chemicals at TotalEnergies, says: “By supplying these two electrolysers with renewable electricity from our offshore wind project in the Netherlands, TotalEnergies is leveraging its positioning as an integrated electricity company.

“The partnership with Air Liquide takes on a new dimension and marks a new step in TotalEnergies’ ambition to decarbonise the hydrogen consumed by its refineries in Europe by 2030.”

TotalEnergies and Air Liquide: An ongoing partnership

This is not the first time TotalEnergies and Air Liquide have worked together.

The pair have collaborated for many years, working together on a variety of projects to decarbonise energy systems.

These projects include: 

• La Mède biorefinery: Air Liquide is helping TotalEnergies decarbonise the La Mède biorefinery.
• Gonfreville refinery, where Air Liquide is supplying renewable hydrogen to TotalEnergies’ Gonfreville refinery.
• Normandy industrial basin, a site where TotalEnergies and Air Liquide are developing a low-carbon hydrogen network.

These partnerships are just some examples of how, by working together, TotalEnergies and Air Liquide are aspiring to decarbonise road transportation in Europe, develop hydrogen use for goods transportation, strengthen the hydrogen sector and build a heavy-duty network for the benefit of their customers.

“Flagship projects such as the ones we are announcing today will play a key role in reducing emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy mobility,” says Emilie Mouren-Renouard, Group Vice President and Member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee in charge of Europe operations.

“We are proud to lead the way on European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, and to accompany TotalEnergies in its journey to decarbonising its industrial assets. 

“These two projects will complete the five Air Liquide low carbon units already in operation or construction in Europe. This illustrates our capacity to offer concrete solutions to our customers, to reach our carbon neutrality ambition by 2050 and to support Europe’s leadership ambition towards decarbonized growth. 

“It also demonstrates the ability of Air Liquide to develop solid business models in the energy field of low carbon hydrogen.”

In brief: Total Energies’ European refineries decarbonisation plan

As these projects come online over the next few years, they will not only provide valuable insights into the large-scale production and application of green hydrogen but play a major part in the decarbonisation of TotalEnergies’ refineries across Europe.

TotalEnergies has repeatedly shared its dedication to minimising the carbon footprint associated with its energy production, transformation and distribution to customers. 

A key strategy identified by the company involves the utilisation of low-carbon hydrogen to decarbonise its European refineries, an initiative projected to decrease its yearly CO₂ emissions by approximately three million tons by 2030.

In pursuit of complete decarbonisation of hydrogen usage in its European refineries, TotalEnergies has secured contracts for more than 170,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, distributed across La Mède, Grandpuits and Normandy in France as well as Leuna in Germany and its refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands.

This commitment aligns with the company’s broader goal of achieving a 40% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2015 levels.

Explore the latest edition of Energy Digital Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.

Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.

Energy Digital is a BizClik brand