January 2025 Policy Paper - Combined connection concepts For remote offshore wind areas in the German North Sea The AquaVentus study by the consultancy firm E-Bridge analysed the conditions under which the offshore wind energy generated is produced most economically and transported as electricity and hydrogen integrated into the grids in the best possible way. For this purpose, an overall economic feasibility study was carried out, which was optimised according to the lowest costs and the greatest benefits.
The AquaVentus study by the consultancy firm E-Bridge examined the conditions under which the offshore wind energy generated is produced most economically and transported away as electricity and hydrogen, integrated into the grids in the best possible way. To this end an overall economic viability assessment was carried out, optimised for the lowest costs and the greatest benefit.
KEY RESULTS
The combination of cable and pipeline makes transport more efficient, creates more flexibility for the energy system and reduces price risks on the energy market.
The integrated networking of offshore electrolysis in the offshore wind areas in the distant zones 4 and 5 of the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) significantly reduces the costs of transporting green energy.
Less curtailment, more price and grid stability Combined connection concepts significantly reduce the lock-in of offshore electricity (curtailment). When there is sufficient wind, wind energy can be flexibly converted into storable gas via hydrogen production at sea in line with market prices. This is fed cost-effectively into the hydrogen core grid via the AquaDuctus pipeline. The bidirectional use of the power cable means that cheap onshore electricity can also be converted into hydrogen, for example in cases of negative electricity prices. According to the study, both factors reduce the costs to be borne by society for the further expansion of offshore wind energy in the North Sea by up to 31 billion euros.
Political recommendations for action Amendments to the Offshore Wind Energy Act are urgently required In order to fully utilise the described potential of offshore hydrogen production as a flexibility option for offshore wind, legal adjustments are required to enable the combined use of electricity and hydrogen infrastructure.
Authorisation of combined connection concepts in Germany The German government must swiftly realise the potential of offshore electrolysis and increase the cost efficiency of offshore wind expansion. Firstly, the framework for pilot plants to demonstrate the technology and the tender for the SEN 1 area should be created. Furthermore, combined connection concepts for the offshore energy transport infrastructure must be made possible. Currently (as of January 2025), these concepts are categorically excluded by Section 3.8 of the Offshore Wind Energy Act.In addition, the German government should review the inclusion of offshore electrolysis in the targets of the Offshore Wind Energy Act. Harmonised European standards for offshore electrolysis technology Many European neighbours already enable combined connection concepts and further studies show that they offer significant advantages compared to pure electricity or H2 connections. They enable considerable economic cost savings, open up higher revenue potential and ensure better system integration (North Sea Wind Power Hub, 2024; Fraunhofer IEE, 2024; EPICO, 2024). The German government must therefore encourage the creation of uniform standards in all North Sea states in order to enable large-scale offshore hydrogen production. This includes Europe-wide framework conditions that facilitate cross-border cooperation and the integrated expansion of hydrogen production at sea.
Uniform European standards for offshore electrolysis technology. Many European neighbours already permit combined connection concepts, and further studies show that these offer clear advantages compared with purely electricity-based or purely hydrogen-based connections. They enable considerable macroeconomic cost savings, open up higher revenue potential and ensure better system integration (North Sea Wind Power Hub, 2024; Fraunhofer IEE, 2024; EPICO, 2024). The Federal Government must therefore encourage the creation of uniform standards in all North Sea states in order to enable offshore hydrogen production at large scale. This includes Europe-wide framework conditions that facilitate cross-border cooperation and the integrated expansion of hydrogen production at sea.
ABOUT AQUAVENTUS
The AquaVentus initiative aims to produce one million tonnes of green hydrogen per year from wind energy in the North Sea and transport it to land via pipeline. More than 100 companies, organisations and research institutes along the entire value chain have joined forces to create the framework conditions for the installation of 10 gigawatts of production capacity for green hydrogen from offshore wind energy in the North Sea across Europe and to build the necessary transport infrastructure. Due to its climate-neutral production and storability, hydrogen is the key to decarbonising energy-intensive industries that cannot be electrified - and therefore an important factor for an energy transition and the energy sovereignty of an entire continent.