Topsoe, global provider of advanced energy transition solutions for clean and conventional fuels and chemicals, has been selected by HDF Energy as the technology licensor for its BaseBlue project in Texas, the United States. The project aims to supply data centres with reliable, low-carbon electricity by combining hydrogen production with carbon capture technology. Under the agreement, Topsoe will provide the technology licence, process design and basic engineering, proprietary equipment and catalysts for the project’s hydrogen production and CO₂ capture unit. The facility will deploy Topsoe’s proprietary SynCOR™ autothermal reforming technology to produce low-carbon hydrogen.
SynCOR Technology to Enable Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production
The BaseBlue project will use natural gas from the Permian Basin in Texas as feedstock to produce low-carbon hydrogen. To minimise carbon emissions, the facility plans to capture more than 95% of the CO₂ generated during hydrogen production. The project is expected to capture approximately 1.1 million metric tonnes of CO₂ annually, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of hydrogen production. Furthermore, HDF Energy plans to generate approximately 250 MW of electricity to meet the growing demand for reliable power from data centres.
Meeting Data Centre Demand with Reliable, Low-Carbon Power
As data centres expand, their electricity requirements are increasing rapidly, placing additional pressure on existing power grids. Against this backdrop, the BaseBlue project aims to provide dependable, low-carbon electricity through onsite power generation. The project will combine natural gas conversion, carbon capture and HDF Energy’s fuel-cell systems to deliver electricity directly to data centres through a behind-the-meter configuration. This approach will help data centre operators access a reliable power supply while reducing associated carbon emissions.
Industry Leaders Highlight the Importance of the Project
Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, Americas, Topsoe, said, “HDF Energy’s BaseBlue project represents an important first for Topsoe: Our SynCOR™ technology will be used to produce low-carbon blue hydrogen for a data centre power project. By combining natural gas conversion and carbon capture with HDF Energy’s fuel-cell systems, the project is designed to deliver reliable electricity onsite behind the meter. As demand for data-centre power grows, solutions that pair reliability with lower emissions will become increasingly important. We’re excited to be working with HDF Energy to bring this approach to Texas.”
Thibault Menage, Vice President, US & Caribbean, HDF Energy, said, “Data centres are growing faster than the grid can follow, and their operators need power that is both firm and low-carbon. Most power solutions offer one or the other, BaseBlue Power™ offers both. We chose Topsoe because SynCOR™ integrates carbon capture in a proven and bankable way, at the scale and reliability a power plant demands.”
As per the press release, the BaseBlue project highlights the growing role of low-carbon hydrogen, carbon capture and fuel-cell technologies in meeting the energy requirements of data centres. Through its SynCOR™ technology, Topsoe aims to support the development of reliable, lower-emission power solutions for energy-intensive industries.
