H2 Green Steel Substation (E-House) Project

Introduction

Incon was engaged by InnoCad Consulting to deliver structural engineering design and certification for the H2 Green Steel (H2GS) E-House Project in Boden, northern Sweden. This landmark project supports hydrogen-based steel production, representing a major step toward decarbonising the global steel industry.

Project
description

The project involved the design of modular steel-framed E-House buildings housing critical electrical infrastructure, including substations and control systems. These prefabricated units were engineered for transport, installation, and long-term operation in extreme environmental conditions.

Key components included:

Four modular buildings: UCC001, UCC002, LER001, and LER002
Structural systems comprising:

Steel frames (beams, columns, purlins, girts, bracing systems)
Integrated flooring systems with equipment support frames
External platforms, walkways, stairs, and handrails

Buildings designed for modular transport and bottom-lift installation
Integration of HVAC support platforms (two distinct types for different building configurations)

The structures were required to meet European (EN) and IEC standards, along with project-specific performance criteria.

Challenge

This project required advanced structural engineering due to its stringent performance and environmental requirements:

Extreme climatic conditions, with temperatures ranging from -40°C to +40°C and high humidity levels
Corrosive environment (C4 classification) requiring enhanced durability and protective systems
Heavy equipment loads, with floor loadings up to 1000 kg/m² and building weights up to 130 tonnes
Transport and lifting constraints, requiring structural integrity during shipping (sea transport) and bottom-lift operations
Blast resistance requirements for specific buildings (e.g., LER002), adding complexity to structural design
Strict serviceability criteria, including deflection limits and integration with sensitive electrical equipment

Solution

We delivered a comprehensive structural solution tailored to the project’s complexity:

Full structural analysis and design of modular steel buildings, including primary and secondary framing systems
Design of HVAC support platforms, ensuring compatibility with equipment loads and operational requirements
Integration of transport and lifting design, ensuring structural stability during handling and installation
Consideration of blast loading requirements where applicable, incorporating appropriate structural detailing
Development of detailed structural calculation packages and certification documentation for all modules
Alignment with European design codes and project-specific Basis of Design

Key Engineeering Highlights

Modular buildings up to 130 tonnes in transport weight
Floor design capacity up to 1000 kg/m² under equipment loads
Designed for extreme climates (-40°C to +40°C)
Integration of blast-resistant structural systems
Compliance with EN & IEC international standards

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We take pride in delivering innovative and practical solutions which adds real value to our clients and the community. We strive for better outcomes that delivers a best possible solution by employing our technical expertise. We believe the real value in good engineering is breaking down a complex problem into a simple solution which underpins our philosophy of ‘do it right – the first time’.