Decarbonized perspectives for the energy transition are only possible through strategic innovation promotion. In its 25th anniversary year, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH from the Munich metropolitan region was selected by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate as part of a consortium to develop a modular, renewable and self-sufficient energy supply with H₂ technology. For the new project (MarrakEsH), the European premium manufacturer of emission-free H₂ fuel cells has been granted funding of up to €300,000 over a period of 36 months.

Partners in the consortium are recognized industry key players such as GKN Hydrogen GmbH, which together with GKN Hydrogen Italy S.r.l." belongs to the British "Dowlais Group plc". In the autumn quarter of last year, Proton Motor successfully completed GKN Hydrogen Italy's follow-up order from January 2023 for 15 HyModule S8 H₂ fuel cell systems. To date, a total of 46 high-tech HyModule S8 products have been delivered to the long-standing customer.

The HyModule S8 H₂ fuel cell system was developed by Proton Motor Fuel Cell for stationary applications and is designed for the self-sufficient supply of energy and heat. GKN H₂ integrates the HyModule S8 solution into its green sustainable energy storage systems under the HY2 brand. The applications of the metal hydride storage solution HY2 include IT backup systems, off-grid power generation and plug-in charging stations for electric cars.

Proton Motor CEO Dr. Faiz Nahab said, "The successful completion of this follow-on order from GKN Hydrogen, one of our repeat customers, reaffirms that the company is rapidly progressing the commercialization of our H₂ fuel cell technology, and our recognition as a leader in this industry. We are pleased to continue to support GKN Hydrogen as it showcases H₂ as an effective means of storing energy from renewable resources. Further, this new grant from the German Ministry for Economics and Climate will allow us to make greater progress in designing and manufacturing innovative solutions for the H₂ future. The grant also confirms an increased drive to develop H₂ technology, which continues to have a fundamental role in the energy transition."

Potential of the building sector: HyShelter power plant will power hotel "Bahia de Palma" in Mallorca H2 fuel cell technology is considered one of the most important transformation building blocks for Europe's future climate-friendly energy transition. H2 is the only way to store large volumes of renewable energy without loss or emissions.

Proton Motor Fuel Cell assesses the stationary market potential, which includes combined heat and power generation for buildings, emergency power systems and off-grid energy supply, as extremely suitable for short-to medium-term investments as well as for tailor-made innovation funding, including the MarrakEsH project. The building sector alone, as can be seen from the recently published Proton Motor`s position paper is responsible for almost 35% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union.

In the context of the EU-funded infrastructural project Green Hysland, Proton Motor has also been awarded a part, through the commissioning by the Spanish company "Redexis, S.A.". In the summer of 2023, the latter ordered the H₂ fuel cell power plant HyShelter for "Iberostar Hoteles & Apartamentos, S.L". The container system is to be implemented in the hotel "Bahia de Palma" in Palma de Mallorca in order to power green energy production for climate neutrality. Mallorca has defined the ambitious long-term climate protection target for 2050 with 100% renewable energy. In addition to numerous solar parks and photovoltaic power plants, the Green Hysland program supports the plans by building an island-wide H₂ network for transport, heat and electricity. Wave-H₂ project against CO₂ emissions: HyShelter to be integrated into industrial research platform

The containerized HyShelter system with a peak output of up to 240 kW was also ordered by the University of Stuttgart in 2023. It is to be integrated into an industrial research site and will generate electricity and feed electricity into the grid from the second quarter of 2024. The background to this is the commission by the German "Federal Ministry of Education and Research" to the University of Stuttgart to establish a H₂-based industrial research platform. The WAVE-H2 project aims to promote the reduction of CO₂ emissions in the industrial sector. Stuttgart's science department includes the "Energy Technology of the Future" department, which focuses on H₂'s potential for end-to-end decarbonization.