October 26, 2023

Stuttgart (energate) – In the Wave-H2 project (Adaptable, energy-flexible, and interconnected H2 industrial research platform), researchers at the University of Stuttgart aim to advance the use of hydrogen in industry. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. In an interview with energate, Mirja Mannigel from the Institute of Energy Efficiency in Production at the University of Stuttgart explains the background.

energate: Ms. Mannigel, what is Wave-H2 about and what specific goals does the project pursue?

Mannigel: Within the framework of the Wave-H2 project, an adaptable, energy-flexible, and interconnected hydrogen research platform is being developed. The project aims to help seize opportunities in decarbonizing industry and quickly implement sustainable solutions in the industry. This endeavor is being realized in collaboration between the Institutes of Energy Efficiency in Production (EEP) and for Photovoltaics (IPV). Specifically, the focus lies on the technological development of individual system components and their integration on the scale of an industrial production system.

energate: Part of the project is an industrial research platform. How is this implemented?

Mannigel: Due to space constraints, the hydrogen research platform was divided into two sub-projects: the H2 industrial research platform in Freudenstadt and the innovation modules on the Campus Vaihingen. The H2 industrial research platform investigates and optimizes the effects of dynamic energy generation, storage, and utilization on an industrial scale in the overall system as well as on individual technical components and systems. The goal is to maximize overall system flexibility, efficiency, and stability. The platform also enables the integration of various consumers to flexibly utilize hydrogen in the production process and to flexibilize it in terms of supply and product quality.

energate: What is the purpose of the innovation modules?

Mannigel: The innovation modules at the Campus Vaihingen are used to research new technologies on a laboratory scale. The test centers set up there cover various research areas, such as solid-based hydrogen storage, plasma-based methods for methane generation, and the diagnosis and characterization of electrolysis and fuel cells. This infrastructure makes it possible to create a hydrogen-based innovation pipeline for industrial application, further driving the decarbonization of the industrial sector and serving as a catalyst for technology development.

energate: Can you elaborate on how these various technologies and research areas collaborate on the industrial research platform in Freudenstadt?

Mannigel: The project focuses on several key areas, with networking and energy management playing a central role. An intelligent, cross-system, and real-time energy management system is being developed to interconnect and digitally control the individual system components. This aims to maximize overall system flexibility, efficiency, and stability. The H2 industrial research platform encompasses the areas of hydrogen production, storage, conversion, and utilization, as well as innovation modules. In each of these areas, the project collaborates closely with industrial partners to fully exploit the potential of hydrogen technologies.

energate: What does the future hold for Wave-H2? Are there plans for further developments or projects?

Mannigel: Wave-H2 lays the foundation for many future projects. It is planned to continuously develop the platform and integrate new technologies. Furthermore, the University of Stuttgart aims to establish partnerships with other research institutions and industrial companies to expand knowledge and application of hydrogen technologies. The integration of hydrogen technologies into industrial production systems is an emerging research field, and the platform provides the opportunity to be a leader in this area. The results of the project are intended to support the industry in Germany and beyond in transitioning to a sustainable and efficient use of hydrogen.

Questions by Michael Hahn (https://www.energate-messenger.de/autoren/113-michael-hahn).

Source: www.energate.de