The Freeport of Ventspils Authority continues to explore the renewable energy sector, acquiring experience from the models of other ports. Kaspars Liepiņš, the representative of the Freeport of Ventspils Authority and Developer of the Green Energy Cluster, had the opportunity to partake in the visit of the representatives of the Baltic States to Denmark. In three days the participants learned about the most recent advancements in Denmark’s green energy sector, which will help Ventspils as it progresses toward a hydrogen environment.
During the visit, the Power-to-X hydrogen testing center in the Danish city of Måde was viewed. This facility is designed to test green hydrogen, which will eventually be supplied to the port of Esbjerg. While visiting Copenhagen Airport, potential substitutes for sustainable aviation fuel were examined, along with the ongoing programs and results. Brintbranchen, the national business association for hydrogen and Power-to-X in Denmark, was also attended.
The highlight of this visit was Kassø solar farm (Kassø Solarpark), the largest solar park in Northern Europe. Thanks to constructing an e-methanol electrolyzer nearby, it will soon yield profitable e-fuel. The initiative will supply e-methanol for the first e-methanol-powered container ship operated by container logistics company Maersk. As a result, Denmark will be the first country to enable large-scale CO2-neutral shipping. The visit included viewing a biogas facility with its ammonia gas plant, touring the modern port of Esbjerg, and discussing Power-to-X technologies and hydrogen infrastructure. Legislation, standards, safety precautions, modeling, and licensing were debated with the Danish Energy Agency, leaving time for a question-and-answer session between the parties.
In the future, producing “green” hydrogen and e-methanol is anticipated to be important in the energy shift from fossil fuels and the reduction of CO2 emissions. The port of Ventspils as an infrastructure object has enormous potential because it is a part of the hydrogen ecosystem and can grow with the hydrogen economy in the future, including exporting the produced hydrogen through the port of Ventspils.
