BMWK H2Uppp Program, GIZ and K-UTEC join forces to valorize desalination by-products and enhance sustainability of green hydrogen projects

The International Hydrogen Promotion Program (H2Uppp) of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) initiated a public-private partnership (PPP) between Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the company K-UTEC to develop solutions in Chile for the valorization of reject brine from the seawater desalination process in the production of green hydrogen.

The PPP project “Brine-to-Value: Valorization of reject brine to improve the ecological and economic sustainability of the process”, focuses on the conversion of reject brine into valuable products such as sodium, potassium and magnesium salts. This partnership aims to reduce the environmental impact and improve the economic viability of green hydrogen projects using desalinated seawater.

Using methods such as fractional crystallization of salts compensated by solar evaporation, as well as mechanical evaporation or membrane technologies, high salinity brine streams can be reused to obtain these valuable salts and recover water for reuse in green hydrogen production.

The project includes the development of a technical and economic pre-feasibility study to produce valuable salts and green hydrogen from desalinated seawater, defining the minimum required project conditions and location criteria for the successful implementation of the project.

Dr. Heiner Marx, CEO of K-UTEC, says: “The Brine-to-Value project exemplifies our commitment to developing innovative solutions that improve ecological and economic sustainability in the green hydrogen sector. By converting rejected brine into valuable salts, we address a critical challenge of desalination processes while contributing to the circular economy. This partnership with GIZ through the H2Uppp initiative aligns with our expertise and vision and aims to make green hydrogen production not only environmentally sustainable, but also economically viable. Chile offers an ideal environment to demonstrate the potential of these technologies and we are excited to contribute to the advancement of the global hydrogen economy.

Green hydrogen is essential for advancing the global energy transition and addressing climate change. Through the H2Uppp initiative, the BMWK supports entrepreneurial efforts and the development of early-stage projects to strengthen the global hydrogen market. The BMWK focuses on fostering investment and accelerating the growth of the international hydrogen economy.

In addition, hydrogen projects boost local economic benefits by creating jobs, generating tax revenues and fostering business growth through the production, local use and international trade of green hydrogen and its derivatives. H2Uppp helps to meet the future demand for green hydrogen in Germany and Europe, while fostering technology transfer.

Green hydrogen is vital for Chile and Germany, as it supports their energy transitions and climate goals. Efficient water use is crucial to producing green hydrogen, ensuring sustainability in the process. Chile can leverage its abundant renewable resources and water management strategies to become a key supplier, while Germany relies on green hydrogen imports to decarbonize industries and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

About H2Uppp:

The International Hydrogen Promotion Program (H2Uppp) of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) promotes projects and market development for green hydrogen in selected developing and emerging countries as part of the National Hydrogen Strategy.

As a federally owned company, the GIZ supports the German government in achieving its goals in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. BMWK has entrusted the GIZ with the implementation of H2Uppp. The GIZ also acts as a public partner in PPP projects implemented within the framework of H2Uppp.

K-UTEC AG Salt Technologies (K-UTEC) is an engineering and consulting company specialized in salt extraction and processing with more than 75 years of experience in this industry.

Source: Press release provided by Cristián Fuentes (Energy Cluster GIZ GmbH)