The pioneering MultiPLHY project, aimed at demonstrating renewable hydrogen production at an industrial scale, has reached a significant milestone. The consortium partners have successfully started up the world’s largest multi-megawatt high-temperature electrolyzer (HTE) at Neste’s renewable products refinery in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The milestone marks a crucial step in showcasing how renewable hydrogen can replace fossil-based hydrogen in the refining industry — a key strategy to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the project progresses, a comprehensive testing program will validate the technology’s performance and operational efficiency.
Collaborative Effort to Drive Decarbonization
MultiPLHY is a collaborative demonstration project involving Neste, Sunfire, CEA, and ENGIE. Sunfire, the German electrolyzer manufacturer, supplied the high-temperature electrolyzer. SMS group provided the hydrogen processing unit (HPU). Neste oversaw refinery integration and manages unit operations alongside Sunfire. CEA, a leading research and technology organization, coordinates the project. ENGIE is responsible for the techno-economic assessment.
Integrating Renewable Hydrogen into Refining Operations
The electrolyzer is integrated into Neste’s existing refining processes and is based on Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) technology developed by Sunfire. Operating at high temperatures of around 850°C, the 2.6 MW electrolyzer consists of twelve electrolysis modules and can produce over 60 kilograms of renewable hydrogen per hour. The system utilizes heat from the refining process. As a result, it requires significantly less electricity compared to conventional electrolyzers. This approach enhances overall energy efficiency.
“The MultiPLHY project has given Neste valuable insights and experience in integrating industrial-scale renewable hydrogen production into our refinery,” said Jukka Kanerva, Senior Vice President, Renewable Refining at Neste. “We remain committed to exploring different pathways to replace fossil-based hydrogen in our refining processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This demonstration also highlights the importance of collaboration across the value chain.”
Industry Leaders Highlight
Consortium partners praised the achievement as a major step forward in advancing renewable hydrogen technologies and decarbonizing heavy industry. Nils Aldag, CEO of Sunfire, said, ‘Our high-temperature SOEC electrolyzers will become the preferred solution in many applications where waste heat is available, thanks to their unrivaled efficiency. The MultiPLHY project demonstrates that we can integrate this innovative technology into industrial environments at a large scale. We are proud of this milestone.”
Pierre Olivier, Head of Hydrogen Lab at ENGIE, added, “High-temperature electrolysis has the potential to make renewable hydrogen more affordable while improving the energy efficiency of industrial processes globally. The construction and commissioning achieved by Sunfire and Neste is a tremendous achievement and a big step in making green hydrogen competitive.”
“We are thrilled to witness the successful operation of the high-temperature electrolyzer at Neste’s refinery,” said Mirela Atanasiu, Head of Unit Operations and Communication, Clean Hydrogen Partnership. “This installation — the largest of its kind in an industrial setting — represents a significant milestone for both the technology and the clean hydrogen sector. It advances not just this project but the European electrolyzer industry as a whole,” Atanasiu said.
A Breakthrough for Clean Hydrogen and Industrial Decarbonization
The successful startup of the MultiPLHY electrolyzer represents a transformative step toward industrial-scale renewable hydrogen production. The project replaces fossil-based hydrogen with renewable alternatives. It demonstrates how cutting-edge electrolysis technology can accelerate decarbonization. It also enhances energy efficiency and strengthens the clean hydrogen economy in Europe and beyond.
