BMV invests €54 million in hydrogen technology centre

This funding will be used to establish a laboratory environment with a hydrogen infrastructure, including a hydrogen liquefier and test benches.

Patrick Schnieder, Federal Transport Minister, commented: “Germany holds a leading international position in hydrogen and fuel cell technology. For this key technology to move from research to widespread application, bold entrepreneurial spirit and high-performing innovation hubs are essential. This is precisely what the Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centre in Pfeffenhausen, Bavaria, provides. That is why we are supporting the centre's development with initial funding of €54 million. Here, a central innovation platform for hydrogen technologies is being created, which will significantly advance the transition to alternative drive systems in transportation and simultaneously secure sustainable value creation in Germany.”

Dr Markus Söder, Bavarian Minister-President, stated: “This is a strong signal for the future of mobility. The project reinforces our strategy for expanding local energy sources and for research into future technologies such as hydrogen. Bavaria is a leader in Germany in the expansion of renewable energies. We are making a clear commitment to climate protection and the transformation. The federal government's support sends a strong signal to all of Lower Bavaria”

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, added: “The implementation of the Hydrogen Technology and Application Centre (WTAZ) marks another milestone in the integration of hydrogen into the mobility sector. Thanks to initial funding from the federal government and grants from the Free State of Bavaria, the Pfeffenhausen site will be equipped with the necessary infrastructure as well as the corresponding testing, inspection, and certification facilities for components related to tanks, refuelling, and propulsion systems. This will particularly benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and the supplier industry in their transition to green hydrogen-powered mobility. Furthermore, a strong research consortium comprised of the three universities of Ingolstadt, Regensburg, and Landshut is ready to provide the necessary scientific expertise to local industry. The additional production of green hydrogen in the adjacent electrolyser will create a future-oriented hydrogen hub, setting the standards for German and European hydrogen technology.”

Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centre: key areas of the site in Bavaria

With the Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centres (ITZ-H2), the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is implementing a key measure of the German government's National Hydrogen Strategy. The Pfeffenhausen location, together with the centres already established in Chemnitz and Northern Germany, will specifically support small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, and the supplier industry in further developing hydrogen technologies and bringing them to market maturity.

The WTAZ in Pfeffenhausen focuses on applications in heavy-duty transport and urban air mobility. Key areas of focus include the use of liquid hydrogen, hydrogen combustion engines, tanks and refuelling systems, as well as the development of a complete vehicle test bench. The WTAZ offers development and testing environments with specialised hydrogen laboratories at the highest international level and is also building a hydrogen liquefier that will utilise green hydrogen from the region.

The funds for the federal funding of ITZ-H2 come from the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) and are provided via the European Recovery and Resilience Facility (ARF) within the framework of NextGenerationEU.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/13022026/bmv-invests-54-million-in-hydrogen-technology-centre/