Greenfield projects are exciting — but they are not the same as extensions or brownfield upgrades. Many tasks that seem “hidden” at first can create surprises later, often with cost or schedule impact for the end client.
In hydrogen projects, underestimated tasks often include:
- Tagging and documentation systems (easy to postpone, but costly to fix later).
- Non-process facilities (operator buildings, fire stations, evacuation roads).
- Out-of-boundary logistics (bridges, heavy transport routes, local access).
- Scalability (space and utilities for future expansion).
- Public relations and stakeholder communication (crucial for permitting and acceptance).
These are not always on the radar of EPC/EPCM breakdowns, yet they often decide whether the plant will operate smoothly and grow sustainably.
To make this tangible, I am sharing two supporting documents:
- A spreadsheet with typical EPC/EPCM breakdown for a small hydrogen plant
- An enhanced version, developed by combining my own experience with structured brainstorming together with ChatGPT-5.
💡 My takeaway: Greenfield projects are not just about building a plant — they are about building the entire ecosystem around it.
🤝 Acknowledgment: This article was prepared in cooperation with ChatGPT-5, which I use as a sparring partner for brainstorming and structuring technical content. I value input no matter where it comes from — a colleague, competitor, student, retiree, or in this case, an AI. What matters is willingness, method, timing, goal, and purpose.