It seems relevant to take hydrogen production in Iceland to the industrial scale. There is a growing public and political interest in the field and a call for action in energy transition both nationally and internationally. There is a growing demand for green hydrogen. In the global context there is a growing need for green hydrogen in the chemical and energy demanding industries.

In the national context it would have the most impact on CO2 emissions to focus and invest on direct usage of hydrogen in the marine and aviation sector, otherwise hydrogen based E-fuels as a second choice. Such a production could be thought of as a reasonable extension of the public energy network of Iceland. IEA states that the near-term opportunities for real-world actions lie in making the most of “existing industrial ports to turn them into hubs for lower-cost, lower-carbon hydrogen.

The project takes place in Helguvík and here are the main reasons that make this particular place interesting for an architecture student to work with:

Helguvík is adjacent to a town, the Helguvík harbor is within 800m from the nearest residential houses of Reykjanesbær. Because Helguvík is in a walking distance from a residential area any development that takes place there has to work carefully with physical and social barriers and connections that often are challenging between big industries and local residents.

- It is within 3 km from the only international airport, Keflavík airport where Helguvík serves mainly now as an oil import hub for the airport and the two places are connected with an oil pipe.

- Short distance from existing marine trafic.

- 35 km from the capital center. Roughly 70% of the total population of Iceland lives within a 35 km radius which makes short access to labor force.

-The place is clearly visible from land, air and sea.

- In Helguvík is an industrial port and infrastructure that is not currently operating to its full potential. That gives the place an advantage to export and serve as a fuel hub for nearby cargo and fishing vessels.

- Helguvík and the surrounding industrial area is in the state of rebirth towards greener industry. There has been a controversy around old- minded industrial development in Helguvík.