Hydrogen solution company NEL ASA and its partners have started a feasibility study for large scale hydrogen production in Norway.
The project, known as Hyper, aims to assess the potential for large scale hydrogen production in Norway to export to the European and Japanese markets.
In addition to feasibility study, the team will undertake planning, construction, and operation of a commercial decarbonizes hydrogen production, liquefaction, and export facility based on Norwegian fossil- and renewable energy resources.
NEL ASA partnered with independent research organization SINTEF, Statoil, Linde Kryotechnik, Mitsubishi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, NTNU and Institute of Applied Energy, among others, for the project.
NEL market development director Bjørn Simonsen said: "The exploration of large-scale hydrogen production in Norway for European and Japanese markets has significant potential.
"We are looking at a scenario in which production of 225 000 tons of hydrogen could fuel as many as three million cars annually.
"We are looking forward to contribute to the project with our world-wide and extensive experience within hydrogen production from renewable energy."
SINTEF Energy Research is the lead research partner for Hyper project, which is backed by NOK14m ($0.48m) grant from the ENERGIX-program of the Research Council of Norway.
SINTEF Energy Research chief scientist Dr Petter Nekså said: "Project Hyper gives us a unique possibility to investigate and gain a deeper understanding of the different technological elements and interactions within hydrogen production.
"It is a strength for the project that we have major industry partners with us, and is an opportunity to utilise their competence and commercial insight within this area."
The NOK20m ($2.4m) Hyper project will help develop cost-efficient means for decarbonizes value creation from Norwegian energy resources.