Black & Veatch to aid Mercury Renewables’ first green hydrogen plant

Mercury Renewables has announced the construction of a first-of-its-kind green hydrogen production facility on the border of the Irish counties of Mayo and Sligo.

To progress the project, Mercury is utilizing the expertise of global engineering, consulting, and construction company Black & Veatch in hydrogen and renewable energy.

Mercury is constructing one of Ireland’s first onshore wind farms and hydrogen electrolysis plants to be co-located. A wind farm generating 75 megawatts will power an electrolyser plant producing green hydrogen. Black & Veatch’s early contribution to the project consisted of feasibility studies that informed all parts of hydrogen development.

“The abundance of renewable energy potential in Ireland means green hydrogen should play a significant role in regional and national cross-sector decarbonisation. Projects like Firlough put Mercury at the vanguard of delivering Ireland’s hydrogen economy,” said Tim Bills-Everett of Mercury. “Our business model is to combine local knowledge with international best practice in renewable energy development. For Firlough we also need proven hydrogen expertise. With a deep track record in both, Black & Veatch is our partner of choice.”

Black & Veatch has assisted Mercury in determining which combination of electrolyser technology, size, hydrogen storage and transit choices, and water supply alternatives best fits the company’s business objectives for the project. This is being accomplished by creating different scenario analyses and conceptual site layouts.

“Hydrogen project developers and investors need confidence in the quality of the advice they receive. The most complete analysis will come from partners with expertise in hydrogen, renewable energy generation, and the complex interfaces between them that define projects like Firlough,” said Youssef Merjaneh, Black & Veatch’s Senior Vice President, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa.

Once the ideal configuration has been determined, Black & Veatch will create an outline design for the facility that is compatible with the local environment; encourage community engagement; and work to assure the safe running of the plant.