With green H₂ emerging as a leading energy source of the future for industry, Wilo is showing how to harness this energy with its H₂Powerplant, a unique operating plant in a world-first live production environment.

The first ever green H₂ solution of its kind to be brought to market, the H₂Powerplant proves the concept of power independence and generation in a decentralized way. Already in operation at Wilo’s German headquarters, Wilopark in Dortmund, it is a step-change for moving the dial on green H₂ production—with only 1% of the world’s current H₂ classed as green according to IRENA.

Now proven in its operation, the system will be rolled out to all Wilo locations and is also available to the market in a modular arrangement for varying power demands. The product that will now go to market is available in four different sizes that will be able to generate power equal to the annual demand of either three, five or 20 households. 

The system uses electrolysis to convert renewable energy generated from solar, wind and hydropower into green H₂. When it’s needed, a fuel cell can then be used to convert the H₂ back into electrical energy and the waste heat is either used in the interconnected system for heating, stored or converted into cooling onsite.

This system can also be used to support new and/or existing combined heat and power (CHP) systems that have been designed to work with a blended H₂ mix, meaning it also has the potential for retrofit applications.

Dave Williamson, Sales and Marketing Director at Wilo UK, said, “Green H₂ is fundamental for achieving the climate protection goals agreed in Paris. Ultimately, this game-changing technology will enable companies to accelerate the migration to clean energy from existing infrastructure without having to start from scratch.

“For example, companies using gas or CHP systems that will operate with a blended gas mix that can utilize H₂ from the H₂Powerplant and reduce carbon emissions within existing infrastructure. Wilo has already received enquiries from world-leading large energy users in the UK, wanting to implement the H₂Powerplant as part of their own net zero strategies and when bidding for major sustainability-driven tenders.”

The first pilot project for H₂Powerplant was approved in May 2022 which saw Wilo and various industry partners design and build the first functioning system at Wilopark in Dortmund.

Initially the intention was to use the plant as an emergency power supply, but as the project evolved, greater power potential was realized within the solution. It went on to power much more across the site, including lighting, the EV charging system and part of the heating.

Construction took place from July 2022 and the system was commissioned and inaugurated on September 9, 2022. The grand opening of the H₂Powerplant took place during the international industry conference at the Wilopark in Dortmund.