Hydrogen
Hydrogen plays an important role in sustainable energy systems. It helps to replace fossil fuels in hard-to-abate sectors that cannot be directly electrified and serves as a means to store energy on a large scale. Helen aims to be at the forefront of delivering green hydrogen-based solutions to its customers.
The missing piece of a sustainable energy system
Green hydrogen is produced from water through electrolysis. The production process requires a large amount of renewable electricity and generates significant amounts of oxygen and waste heat as by-products. Hydrogen essentially enables the storage of renewable wind and solar power, thus supporting a sustainable energy system. Furthermore, the waste heat generated in the production process can be efficiently utilised in district heating networks with the help of heat pumps.
Do we have enough electricity for hydrogen production?
Finland has substantial wind and solar power potential, and these renewable methods of production are among the most cost-effective ways to generate electricity. Hydrogen projects primarily use newly established wind and solar power, allowing entire farms to be dedicated to hydrogen production. This is why hydrogen projects draw little from existing electricity production capacity. In 2025, 90% of Helen's electricity production will be low-emission.
New hydrogen-based products
Hydrogen can be used to produce various goods, including fuels, chemicals, and even protein. Many of these Power-to-X or P2X products use hydrogen and carbon dioxide as raw materials, enabling the replacement of fossil fuels in sectors such as maritime and aviation. Helen is interested in collaborating with partners to develop P2X products.
Bio-based carbon dioxide as part of the solution
Carbon capture enables the production of P2X products while reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We are exploring opportunities for carbon capture, particularly regarding the bio-based carbon dioxide generated in Helen’s heat production. At the moment, bio-based carbon dioxide is generated at the Vuosaari bioenergy heating plant that uses wood chips created as a by-product of forestry, among other sources.
Get to know our green hydrogen projects
3H2 – Helsinki Hydrogen Hub
We are building a green hydrogen production plant in Vuosaari, Helsinki. This is Helen’s first hydrogen project with which we will increase our expertise to meet the needs of large-scale hydrogen production and enhance the flexibility to the entire energy system. This is also the first green hydrogen production plant to be built in Helsinki.
BalticSeaH2
We are involved in the BalticSeaH2 project that is establishing foundations for Europe’s first cross-border hydrogen valley in the Baltic Sea region. The five-year project will test the end uses of green hydrogen in road transport, maritime, and the chemicals industry as well as electricity and heat production.
Hydrogen valley in the Uusimaa region
We are planning large-scale hydrogen production in Vuosaari, Helsinki. Our plan is part of the industrial hydrogen valley in the Uusimaa region, on the development of which we have started preliminary studies in cooperation with Neste, Gasgrid, and Vantaa Energy.