Stawag, an Aachen-based energy company, is investing in hydrogen technology: An electrolyser will be installed at the Aachen-Nord wind farm to manufacture renewable hydrogen using wind energy. This is planned to be used to drive buses for the Aseag transport business in Aachen.
“We’ve put together a complete package for climate-friendly energy and heat supply with our 2030 climate ambitions.” “Our proposal also includes a push for more ecologically friendly transportation,” says Christian Becker, a member of the Stawag Board of Directors. “We don’t only rely on e-mobility.” Rather, we’d want to continue to explore and execute new ideas. “With our new initiative, we are combining the electrical and transportation sectors and contributing to the flexibility of renewable energies.” The hydrogen generated by the Stawag electrolyzer will be utilized solely for regional purposes. “Buses with fuel cells driven by green, locally produced hydrogen can help to further reductions in traffic pollution,” says Aseag CEO Michael Carmincke. “As a result, we are delighted to be a part of this pilot initiative.”
Stawag is planning to construct an electrolyzer with a two-megawatt capacity near the Aachen Nord wind farm. This breaks down water into hydrogen and oxygen with the assistance of wind power. Towing vehicles convey the hydrogen-filled under pressure in mobile storage tanks to a hydrogen filling station. Stawag hopes to create 200 tons of renewable hydrogen each year. On the Aseag location, where the fuel cell buses are refueled, a filling station will be erected.
This project can only be carried out with the assistance of funding: Stawag was granted the contract after submitting a financing proposal to the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. It is obtaining funding for the project of roughly 3.5 million euros, or around 45 percent of the investment expenditures. The monies come from the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Program (Phase II). For the filling station and fuel cell buses, the Aseag has filed financing proposals. The whole infrastructure necessary takes around 24 months to plan and develop. Hydrogen will be generated for the first time for local public transportation in Aachen by the end of 2023, assuming the necessary funds are received.
