The project, conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems (IEG) in Zittau, is part of the research initiative IntegrH2ate, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the framework of the H2 Giga flagship project, in cooperation with Linde. A test facility is being built on the premises of Stadtwerke Zittau to investigate the extraction of heat from hydrogen production on a real-scale basis.
As part of the project, the waste heat generated by the PEM electrolysis process will be transferred using a high-temperature heat pump. This heat will then be fed into the municipal district heating network of Stadtwerke Zittau to support the research into the economic viability of the technology.
Roby Buyung, President of Process Automation at IMI, said: “Naturally, a lot of research surrounding hydrogen is focusing on its capabilities in power. However, this project is looking at the potential by-products of hydrogen generation, specifically within the district heating sector. District heating is a strong candidate for the future of heating in Germany, with the government seeking to connect more than 100,000 properties annually. Hydrogen offers a promising avenue in which to achieve this aim.
