The energy transition and climate change adaptation are long-term challenges that must be addressed. To this end, the European Union has set ambitious targets for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. TOTAL's La Mède industrial site is part of this plan: in 2019, Total transformed the refinery into a world-class biorefinery.
This transformation represents the first step towards achieving global carbon neutrality. In addition to this transformation, the hydrogen consumed at the site is now being replaced with green hydrogen. This involves substituting carbon-based hydrogen for hydrogen produced from renewable energy. So, it is only natural that Total has joined forces with Engie, two world-class champions working together to develop this ambitious project; a global first on an industrial scale. Initially, this project aims to supply the La Mède site and then to develop a hydrogen ecosystem to facilitate its use for mobility, industrial and energy purposes.
The 100% Integrated (Renewable/Storage/Hydrogen Production) architecture represents the cutting-edge in design. It reflects the scale of the challenges that must be overcome to decarbonize industrial hydrogen supply needs while managing the intermittency of renewable energies.
The consumption of green hydrogen at the Total biorefinery, in the first instance, is a key benefit of the MASSHYLIA project. It enables supply to a customer, an industrial development, at a renowned site, to facilitate the subsequent deployment of this process on a large scale. This project is in keeping with the roadmap of the South Hydrogen Region and the Regional Urban Planning Scheme for Sustainable Development and Equality of Territories.
Photovoltaic panels with an approximate capacity of 110 MW will be installed near the site and will supply a 40 MW electrolyzer. Initially, all of the hydrogen produced will be consumed by the Biorefinery site as a substitute for the gray hydrogen produced through steam-methane reforming (without capturing or storing the CO2 emitted) which is currently being consumed.
In a later phase, depending on local demand (transport/heating/electricity), this electrolyzer’s use could be maximized to supply local needs, or even be connected to a H2 transport network. The electrolyzer will be installed on an industrial site and will comply with industrial standards while offering a local environmental benefit.