Hydro has announced a new pilot project in Høyanger to test the use of green hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas in the recycling of aluminum. This initiative is part of Hydro’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize aluminum production and follows the first industrial test of green hydrogen conducted in June 2023.
Executive Vice President Hanne Simensen of Hydro Aluminium Metal, along with Høyanger Mayor Petter Sortland, Enova’s Astrid Lilliestråle, and Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, unveiled the three-year test project. The trial will utilize green hydrogen in one of the recycling plant’s furnaces, exploring its potential as a renewable energy source and assessing its impact on metal quality and production processes.
The project aims to provide valuable insights into the use of green hydrogen in established industrial settings and the necessary infrastructure for its implementation. Hydro Havrand, Hydro’s green hydrogen company, has secured up to NOK 83.3 million from Enova to support the pilot.
Hydro’s initiative is part of its broader technology roadmap for zero emissions and aligns with its goal to lead the aluminum industry’s green shift. The company has previously achieved significant milestones, such as producing 100% recycled aluminum and testing alternative decarbonization methods like biomethane and plasma technology.
Hydro is also developing a new production process for primary aluminum in Porsgrunn and working on carbon capture technology. The green hydrogen project in Høyanger represents a promising step towards reducing the aluminum industry’s carbon footprint.
Green hydrogen, produced by using renewable electricity to split water molecules, is an emission-free alternative to traditional fossil fuels. It has the potential to replace natural gas in high-temperature industrial processes and play a crucial role in the global transition to a sustainable, emission-free economy. 
