It began as a project concept for Jürgen Pilz. But with everything, it takes to become a flagship energy transition project. Wiesbaden may be able to produce hydrogen in the near future (H2).
Hydrogen, according to the federal government, is critical to the energy transition. It has the potential to minimize CO2 emissions in industry and transportation if it is generated in a climate-friendly manner.
Nonetheless, the head of Eswe’s primary department is small at initially. “The concept is presently being reviewed; there are a number of variables to consider, including cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and environmental evaluation,” Pilz explains. Eswe Supply is working on a city-wide hydrogen production idea with the private business Knettenbrüh & Gurdulic (K & G), the municipal corporation Eswe Verkehr, and the waste disposal company ELW. These measures were unanimously accepted by the Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Energy. However, only if they are the best alternative method for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and are assessed according to an ISO standard. “Hydrogen has its own set of problems,” says Konny Küpper, the Greens’ energy policy spokesman.
Politicians believe that if the initiatives fit the criteria, they should be incorporated into a larger hydrogen strategy for Wiesbaden as a commercial site. The national hydrogen council has demanded that energy generated from more wind or solar systems be utilized to manufacture hydrogen, and that green hydrogen be used when electrification is not feasible.
The waste-to-energy facility now under construction by the private business K & G, where an electrolyser will be put up as a decentralized H2 source, will provide the power for the energy-intensive generation of hydrogen. Frank Rolle, Eswe’s press spokesman, refers to it as “refining the power.” According to Jürgen Pilz, the plant, which is expected to be completed in 2024, might generate enough electricity to power 250 heavy vehicles such as trash trucks, trucks, or articulated buses. The hydrogen will be used to refuel 140 articulated buses from Eswe’s urban local transportation service, 60 trash trucks from Knettenrupt & Gurdulic, and 40 ELW trucks. ELW is in the process of ordering its first hydrogen-powered garbage truck. Eswe-Verkehr already operates a number of buses.
He adds cautiously, “We are examining whether additional industry may be constructed nearby to utilise the hydrogen.” The new waste-to-energy plant would be erected near the Infraserv industrial park, which garnered controversy when it was announced in 2018. Local businesses may reap the benefits. Funding from the federal government should be sought.
