The storage units are scheduled to be integrated into the research environment of the Hydrogen Terminal in December 2023 and gradually commence operations in 2024. Key components of the research project include:
- Hydrogen production, storage, and distribution
- Hydrogen refueling stations for trucks
- Secure hydrogen supply for the fuel cell test benches at Technical University of Braunschweig, the Lower Saxony Research Center for Vehicle Technology (NFF), and the Fraunhofer Project Center for Energy Storage and Systems (Fraunhofer ZESS)
The goal is also to use renewable energy to stabilize the power grid. Hydrogen is generated in an AEM Multicore electrolyzer from Enapter and transported to the metal hydride storage 900 meters away via a pipeline.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with a total funding volume of over €20 million. It is a collaboration between the Steinbeis Innovation Center energyplus (siz energyplus) and the Technical University of Braunschweig.
Prof. Michael Heere, Head of the Fuel Cell Systems and Drives Group, commented: “At the research airport, we conduct basic research along the H2 conversion and transformation chain. GKN Hydrogen’s solution allows us to safely store a large amount of green hydrogen in a confined space and optimally use it for our research purposes. Storing hydrogen in metal hydride is a safe and durable alternative to current gas storage technology. We anticipate a lifespan of up to 30 years.”
Guido Degen, CCO of GKN Hydrogen, said: “We are proud to be part of this important and groundbreaking project. In discussions with the chair’s responsible parties, we felt that our technology fits very well into the overall concept of the Hydrogen Terminal. We will all benefit from the experiences of this project and gain valuable insights into the efficient storage and use of hydrogen.”
David Sauss, Head of the Steinbeis Innovation Center (SIZ) energyplus, added: “With this research project, we have the opportunity to create an energy center of the future and make the energy transition tangible. Additionally, we decarbonize a part of the research and create a nucleus for future projects and scientific work on hydrogen.”
