H-TEC SYSTEMS has announced the delivery of its ME450 proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer to the H₂ Lab Bremerhaven (HLB), a research project at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES. The general contractor for the project is Wenger Engineering GmbH. The one megawatt ME450 PEM electrolyzer from H-TEC SYSTEMS is part of a test field which focuses on researching the interaction of wind turbines with electrolytic H₂ production. The electricity required for the electrolysis process is provided by an onsite wind turbine installation.

HLB offers a highly innovative test infrastructure that allows scientists to investigate the interaction between a wind turbine facility and an electrolyzer under real-life conditions. PEM electrolysis is ideal for this as this technology can deal particularly well with fluctuating energy sources such as wind energy.

“The H₂ Lab Bremerhaven is an essential element for the research and further development of large electrolyzers and fuel cells. As general contractor and planner, we are very pleased that the collaboration between Wenger Engineering and H-TEC SYSTEMS went smoothly and are looking forward to seeing the research results from this worldwide unique test environment,” said Dr. David Wenger, Managing Director of Wenger Engineering.

“The H₂ infrastructure project at the H₂ Lab Bremerhaven will make a significant contribution to the development and integration of H₂ technology and further advance the vision of a low-carbon future. The successful commissioning of our electrolyzer marks a decisive step towards the realization of a sustainable H₂ economy. We are delighted about being part of this exciting project,” said Robin v. Plettenberg, CEO of H-TEC SYSTEMS.

H₂ in offshore production. The integration of renewable energy sources into electricity generation poses major challenges for existing electricity networks because they were previously geared towards the operation of centralized large-scale producers. A promising way to increase the security of supply in decentralized power grids is to produce green H₂. Hereby, smoothing out peaks in supply and demand can be significantly optimized by generating and subsequently converting H₂ back into electricity.

A key focus of the research work carried out at HLB is on the deep cross-sector integration of electrolysis which includes the use of by-products as well as the utilization of reconversion technologies for off-grid and grid-supporting applications. These studies contribute to integrating H₂ technologies into the national and international energy and economic system along with accelerating the production of green H₂.

In addition to the PEM electrolyzer from H-TEC SYSTEMS, the project will include other test components, including a H₂ cogeneration plant, a fuel cell for converting the H₂ produced back into electricity, four trailer filling stations and H₂ delivery stations, three compressors and three high-pressure storage units. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Federal State of Bremen with €16 MM.