News from the construction site – The September update

Work at the EnergieparkBad Lauchstädt is continuing according to plan. While the auxiliary systems of the electrolysis plant have been gradually commissioned over the past few weeks, a particularly visible milestone has been the focus since September: the delivery and installation of the electrolysis stacks. 

The heart of the electrolysis plant is being installed

The stacks form the technological heart of the plant: with the help of green electricity from renewable energies, water is split into its components hydrogen and oxygen – the core process of electrolysis. Each stack consists of many cells arranged one above the other, in which this conversion takes place.

The Energiepark Bad Lauchstädt uses a pressure alkali electrolysis plant from the Dresden-based manufacturer Sunfire. The system comprises three modules, each with a capacity of ten megawatts. Each module consists of two stacks, which in turn consist of four so-called blocks.

The twelve-tonne electrolysis blocks are transported to the site in 24 individual deliveries by flatbed truck and assembled on site with the utmost precision. 

Commissioning as the next milestone

With the arrival of the stacks, the final piece of the technical infrastructure puzzle has now arrived on site—another important step on the way to the technical commissioning of the entire plant, after which green hydrogen will be produced for the first time at the Energiepark Bad Lauchstädt.

Once the complex installation work has been completed, the gradual commissioning of the electrolysis plant will begin. 

Looking ahead

At the same time, internal tests and partial commissioning of the ancillary systems will continue in order to ensure a smooth start to the entire electrolysis process. This brings the date when green hydrogen will flow for the first time from the Energiepark Bad Lauchstädt to the customer, the TotalEnergies refinery in Leuna, within reach.

© Photos: Tom Schulze