Development and Evaluation of Hydrogen Infrastructures and Electrolyzers

We offer:

• system modeling and simulation for techno-economic detail analysis
• concept development for electrolysis systems and hydrogen infrastructure
• scientific support (system monitoring and characterization)
• testing of components for hydrogen refueling stations
• prediction of the specific aging behavior of stacks depending on their mode of operation
• determination of the influence of component-side redundancies on costs and failure rates
• technological and market studies as well as cost models for electrolyzers and customized workshops

Your benefits:

• Our extensive experience in system modeling and simulation of hydrogen systems combined with the practical knowledge gained from operating our own systems guarantees comprehensive data validation and high accuracy.
• Our simulations support your component selection and business decisions with reliable data.
• By operating our own electrolyzers, a hydrogen filling station and a feed-in plant, we have built up a high level of expertise and can address your questions along the entire hydrogen value chain.

We analyze the feasibility for you and predict the cost-effectiveness: With the help of our validated models, we use dynamic simulations to determine the costs of hydrogen production, storage, distribution and supply and evaluate the benefits of different system configurations. The cost assumptions are based on bottom-up cost models and supply and manufacturer data. Variations of scenarios and business models can be easily analyzed, thus serving as a basis for the preparation of hydrogen yield forecasts to support investment decisions for planned plant concepts and locations.

Research Projects:

FrHyBus – Potential of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses in Local Public Transport in the Freiburg Area

Lighthouse Project Power-to-Gas

WESpe – Technical and Economic System Analysis for Power-to-gas Systems

In accordance with customer specifications, we develop detailed technical concepts for PEM electrolysis systems and filling stations with regard to their operation, logistics and plant design. For electrolysis systems, this can include the design of balance-of-plant components or the efficient use of waste heat as well as the oxygen produced. The concept development can be accompanied by a techno-economic analysis in order to identify optimization potential and incorporate any findings into the plant design. 

Research Projects:

LNG2Hydrogen – TransHyDE project: Making LNG terminals suitable for hydrogen-based energy carriers

OffsH2ore – Hydrogen production at sea by PEM water electrolysis

DSW – Planning and Feasibility for Direct Solar Hydrogen Generation for Mobility

Kopernikus-Projekt Power-to-X

We offer scientific support for electrolysis systems and hydrogen filling stations through condition monitoring and characterization services in field and laboratory environments. This makes it possible to identify faults in operation at an early stage and take measures to compensate for them, thus avoiding any potential damages and reducing downtimes.  

Research Project:

Energy Network Freiburg – Demonstration Service of an Electrolysis System in the North Industrial Area Aimed at Integrating the Electricity Grid and the Gas Network and the Storage of Renewable Energies

Our in-house research hydrogen refueling station was put into operation back in 2012 and has been used as a test platform in numerous projects. The system is supplied with its own hydrogen via a PEM electrolyzer. The electricity is supplied via a photovoltaic system installed on the filling station roof. Since the plant opened, extensive experience has been gained with the 700-bar pressure refueling and long-term operation of the PEM electrolyzer.

The refueling station can serve as a test platform for various components, such as hydrogen quality sensors, flow sensors, PSA equipment and sensors for determining the system status of the refueling station and electrolyzer. The system KPIs are monitored using specially developed hardware.

R&D Infrastructure:

Hydrogen Refueling Station

Research Project:

H2Carsharing – Testing of FCEV in car sharing