Duferco Energia, Ansaldo Green Tech partner for hydrogen project

A rendering of AEM electrolyzer from Ansaldo Green Tech. The company will supply of a 1 MW electrolyser, designed to produce green hydrogen as part of the Hydrogen Valley project in Giammoro, Sicily, (Image: Ansaldo Green Tech)

Duferco Energia and Ansaldo Green Tech have signed a strategic agreement to supply and commission a 1 MW electrolyser for the Giammoro Hydrogen Valley project in Sicily. The initiative marks a significant step in the development of Italy’s hydrogen value chain and supports European decarbonization targets, the companies said..

The project, backed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) through the Sicilian Region, will produce green hydrogen primarily for energy-intensive industries, including steel, logistics, and mobility. It forms part of a broader strategy to establish local hydrogen hubs supporting regional decarbonization and energy independence.

Electrolyser will deliver high-efficiency green hydrogen production

The electrolyser, supplied by Ansaldo Green Tech, will use anion exchange membrane (AEM) technology, offering high efficiency and operational flexibility suitable for integration with renewable energy sources. The system is being developed as part of the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) initiative and is funded by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme.

Once operational, the 1 MW electrolyser will produce more than 500 kilograms of green hydrogen per day, powered by a dedicated 4 MW photovoltaic plant. Annual production is expected to reach approximately 100 tons of green hydrogen, with a purity level of 99.9 percent. This hydrogen will be targeted for use in industrial applications where gas compression, storage, and delivery infrastructure are essential.

The system, assembled on a new production line in Genova Campi, has been engineered for optimized energy consumption and fast startup capabilities, with a warm startup time under two minutes and a load range from 30 to 100 percent.

System performance designed for industrial applications

Key technical specifications released by Ansaldo Green Tech position the system as a strong fit for hydrogen compression, processing, and downstream industrial use. Highlights include:

• Hydrogen production capacity: 21 kg/h at 30 barg
• Oxygen production: 168 kg/h at 0.3–30 barg
• Energy consumption: 55 kWh per kilogram of hydrogen
• Hydrogen purity: 99.9 percent, with higher purity achievable with a dryer
• Operating temperature range: -5 to +40°C
• Load range: 30–100 percent
• Sound pressure level: 85 dB(A) at one meter
• Containerized in a standard 40-foot ISO module

These figures reflect an electrolyser system optimized for coupling with green energy resources and industrial hydrogen compression systems, offering predictable load flexibility and purity levels suitable for high-spec applications in steel production, logistics hubs, and hydrogen refueling systems.

Supporting decarbonization and regional hydrogen value chains

With a total investment of €10 million, the Hydrogen Valley project in Giammoro is expected to drive regional economic growth, create new employment opportunities, and promote sustainable energy industries in Southern Italy. The project’s goals align with the RePowerEU plan, the European Commission’s strategy to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and accelerate renewable energy adoption.

Massimo Croci, CEO of Duferco Energia, said the Hydrogen Valley represents a concrete step toward energy transition and enhanced energy independence for Sicily. “This initiative will not only generate environmental benefits but also provide new economic and employment opportunities for the region,” Croci said.

Vittorio Olcese, CEO of Ansaldo Green Tech, added, “This agreement is a strong endorsement of Ansaldo Green Tech’s technology, focused on efficiency and flexibility in the production of green hydrogen to decarbonize sectors such as mobility, logistics, and hard-to-abate industries like steel.”

The hydrogen produced by the Giammoro plant will rely on gas compression, storage, and distribution systems to connect production with end-use applications in industries that have traditionally depended on natural gas. For energy-intensive processes such as steel manufacturing and heavy transport, high-pressure hydrogen compression will be critical in safely and efficiently delivering fuel to user facilities.

This project offers an example of how green hydrogen and natural gas infrastructures are beginning to converge, with electrolyser technologies now engineered for seamless integration into gas handling systems, including compression stations, buffer storage, and pipeline networks. With hydrogen purity reaching 99.9 percent at 30 barg, the Giammoro project is positioned to meet demanding downstream specifications.

Duferco Energia, part of the Duferco Group, has grown from managing renewable generation assets to becoming one of Italy’s leading energy services providers. The company operates across electricity, gas, sustainable mobility, and energy efficiency sectors, serving over 600,000 customers.

Ansaldo Green Tech, a subsidiary of Ansaldo Energia, focuses on power generation and green energy technologies, offering microturbines and AEM electrolysers for green hydrogen production. Ansaldo Green Tech’s electrolysers are designed for integration with renewable power systems and industrial decarbonization projects.