HyPErFarm - Hydrogen and Photovoltaic Electrification on Farm

Duration: 11/2020 - 10/2024
Contracting Authority/ Sponsors:
Europäische Kommission, Exekutivagentur für die Forschung
Project Partners: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Aarhus Universitet
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
Agro Intelligence APS
Hyet Hydrogen BV
Fuelsave GmbH
Hochschule Offenburg
Etablissementen Franz Colruyt NV
Innovatiesteunpunt voor Landbouw Enplatteland
Pno Innovation
Hunsballe Claus
Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf
Krinner Carport GmbH
Project Focus:
Website: HyPErFarm
HyPErFarm Logo
HyPErFarm Logo.
Potato and corn cultivation below the agrivoltaic prototype
© Krinner Carport GmbH
Potato and corn cultivation below the agrivoltaic prototype of Krinner Carport GmbH with flowering strips inbetween.
Planting potatoes under the agrivoltaic prototype
© Krinner Carport GmbH
Planting potatoes under the agrivoltaic prototype.

HyPErFarm is a multidisciplinary research project with the aim of developing viable business models for a fossil free agriculture.

Within the four-year project period, the international research team will test exemplary cost-effective agrivoltaic systems that include hydrogen production, electrification of agricultural machinery and the production of biochar fertilizer.

Together with twelve international partners, research is being carried out on three pilot systems in Belgium, Denmark and Germany, both in the field of power generation and energy storage. In addition, the social acceptance of this innovative form of dual land use is being investigated.

Since November 2020, Fraunhofer ISE has been researching together with twelve international partners from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany as part of the HyPErFarm project on viable business models for agrivoltaics, designed to meet the needs of agriculture.

During the four-year project period, three pilot systems will be realized in Belgium, Denmark and Germany, each adapted to regional needs and framework conditions. Amongst others, innovative PV technologies, such as direct solar hydrogen production or bifacial PV modules, will be tested, as well as synergies with new plant varieties. In order to involve society, innovation workshops for stakeholders will be conducted and the acceptance of agrivoltaics among citizens, farmers and consumers will be analyzed.

Fraunhofer ISE is coordinating the planning of the pilot system in Germany and is focusing its research on microclimatic conditions and the impact of agrivoltaics on plants. In addition, a life cycle analysis will be carried out.

HyPErFarm is also developing and demonstrating new ways to store, use and distribute the energy generated on farm. For instance, the compatibility with direct solar hydrogen production and its further use by electrically powered machines and e-robots will be investigated. Furthermore, the following applications will be tested: the integration of heat pump systems, battery storage, and E-powered pyrolysis of biomass side streams that sequesters carbon while improving soil quality.

The goal of the project is to increase the marketability of agrivoltaic systems and to develop attractive, new business models for farms. The HyPErFarm project contributes to building a low-carbon, climate-resilient EU agriculture of the future, opening new perspectives across sectors.  

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/H2020Hyperfarm

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/h2020hyperfarm

More Information on this Topic:

Field of Work

Photovoltaic Power Plants

Research Topic

Photovoltaic Modules and Power Plants

Business Area

Photovoltaics