ABB and Canadian company Charbone Hydrogen have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop up to 15 modular and scalable green hydrogen production plants throughout North America within the next five years.
The plants will deliver a sustainable fuel solution for current hydrogen users and major industrial activities, such as steel production, which currently utilise grey hydrogen as their energy source.
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The MOU outlines ABB’s role as the preferred provider for the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing and provision of modular and standard electrical substations to facilitate the connection between production sites and local utility networks.
ABB will aid Charbone in standardising the core engineering of systems and components across its project portfolio to improve energy efficiency and reliability.
In the future, ABB may also serve as the lead contractor for automation, electrification and telecoms, depending on project needs.
The collaboration covers several sites including Charbone’s flagship Sorel-Tracy facility near Montreal, Québec, Canada.
The facility is set to be linked to the Hydro-Québec grid by the end of the second quarter of 2025, using hydroelectric power to operate green hydrogen electrolysers.
The plant is also set to serve as a model for designing modular and scalable equipment for Charbone’s other sites.
The next project will be in the greater Detroit area of the US, a key manufacturing hub for leading automotive companies.
The Gouvernement du Québec has launched a green hydrogen and bioenergy strategy to support hydrogen and bioenergy use in industries like transportation, primary metals and chemicals.
The strategy aims to reduce Québec’s annual petroleum consumption by nearly one billion litres by 2030 through the use of green hydrogen and bioenergy.
This could lower the region’s carbon emissions by four million tonnes per year, which is comparable to taking 1.2 million petrol-powered vehicles off the roads.
Charbone Hydrogen chief operating officer Daniel Charette said: “This strategic collaboration with ABB is a strong and significant signal about our proposition for the North American green hydrogen market.
“With the Sorel-Tracy project moving quickly to on-site activities, and the capabilities of plug and play modular approach to get production starting in a minimal number of weeks, Charbone will support the decarbonisation of industry.”
Besides the MOU, Charbone will acquire ABB’s Extended Operator Workplace system for all upcoming facilities and a central operator hub at its headquarters to oversee operations.
ABB Energy Industries president Per Erik Holsten said: “Green hydrogen has an important role to play in the transition towards a low-carbon energy future.
“We are proud to collaborate with Charbone on its strategy to develop and grow green hydrogen production facilities across North America, enabling an important sector to scale and supporting industries to outrun leaner and cleaner.”
