BUBBLES | Offshore hydrogen production through electrolysis

Research and development of the minimum viable functionalities for an offshore electrolyzer producing hydrogen from offshore wind power

Offshore hydrogen production offers a promising way to convert offshore wind energy into renewable hydrogen directly at sea. BUBBLES supports the development of reliable offshore electrolyzer technologies by addressing challenges related to harsh marine conditions, remote operation, and system reliability.
 

Target group

The project is primarily relevant for:

• Industrial hydrogen producers and prospective offtakers
• Offshore energy technology providers
• Hydrogen system integrators
• Hydrogen ecosystem partners
• Offshore wind farm developers, asset owners, and related project stakeholders

The project results may also support other technologies adapted for remote environments.

Context

The European Green Deal aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050, with an intermediate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. Renewable hydrogen is a key pillar of the REPowerEU plan, which targets 20 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030.

At the same time, offshore wind capacity, particularly in the North Sea, is expected to grow significantly thanks to its high energy yield and strong capacity factors. However, as offshore wind farms move further from shore, transmitting electricity back to land becomes increasingly complex and costly.

Producing hydrogen directly offshore offers an alternative approach that can improve system flexibility and energy transport efficiency. Yet offshore electrolyzer systems must operate reliably under harsh marine conditions while adapting dynamically to variable wind energy production. Challenges related to maintenance, remote operation, qualification and system reliability still limit large-scale deployment.
 

Objectives & results

BUBBLES aims to prepare and validate electrolyzer technologies for reliable offshore hydrogen production.

The project will:

• Develop and refine offshore electrolyzer concepts focused on cell stacks and balance-of-stack systems
• Investigate methods to reduce maintenance requirements for offshore electrolyzers
• Enable dependable remote operation without human intervention
• Perform technical simulations related to offshore operating conditions
• Define qualification procedures and testing plans for offshore electrolyzer technologies

Key expected results:

• Qualification and testing plans for offshore electrolyzer validation
• Technical simulation results assessing offshore performance and operational risks
• A state-of-the-art overview of relevant patents and existing technologies
• Insights into maintenance reduction strategies for offshore systems
• Recommendations supporting reliable remote operation of offshore electrolyzers
   

Approach

The project is structured around four main workstreams.

1. State-of-the-art and IP analysis

• Review of existing technologies and patents related to offshore electrolyzer deployment
• Identification of technology gaps and innovation opportunities

2. Design and simulation

• Technical simulations and design studies for offshore operating conditions
• Evaluation of performance, reliability and operational constraints

3. Operation and maintenance

• Development of approaches to reduce maintenance requirements
• Investigation of reliable remote operation strategies without onsite intervention

4. Qualification and testing

• Definition of qualification procedures and testing methodologies
• Preparation for future prototype validation and offshore deployment
   

Funding

• Funding agency: FOD Economie  
• Project type: Energie transitie fonds
• Total budget: €2.057.381
• Funding level: 68,7% (€1.412.972)
   

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