Without the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier, the ambitious goal of CO2 neutrality seems unattainable. For this reason, a consortium consisting of the city of Ulm, the Alb-Donau district and the district of Reutlingen responded to the call for funding from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy Management for the realization of a demonstration project “Model Region Green Hydrogen” with the project outline Hy-FIVE. Now the project outline, which was developed together with the neighboring districts of Heidenheim, Tübingen and Ostalbkreis, has been selected by the state from a total of seven applications under the ERDF program and is to receive funding of up to 33 million euros in the coming years. The application is supported by a large number of organizations and companies from business and science.
The participating local authorities expect an economic boost for the entire region, which already has great expertise in hydrogen and fuel cell research and in the practical application of these technologies. Particular importance is attached to the practical production and application of “green” hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen produced in an environmentally friendly manner.
Through the “Green Hydrogen Model Region”, the potential of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies is to be made visible in an integrated approach and a growing demand for hydrogen as an energy carrier is to be triggered. At the same time, the demonstration project is intended to serve as a blueprint for other cities and regions in Baden-Württemberg.
The Hy-FIVE project comprises investment project components, such as investments in the infrastructure of the model region, as well as non-investment project components. The latter include public relations work and measures to raise social awareness of the topic of green hydrogen.
The consortium’s outline, which is now available, focuses on a total of four lighthouse projects in the various districts. A decentralized approach was deliberately chosen, allowing each of the partners to contribute their respective strengths:
The Hy-FIVE project comprises investment project components, such as investments in the infrastructure of the model region, as well as non-investment project components. The latter include public relations work and measures to raise social awareness of the topic of green hydrogen.
The consortium’s outline, which is now available, focuses on a total of four lighthouse projects in the various districts. A decentralized approach has been deliberately chosen, allowing each of the partners to contribute their respective strengths:
- Production of green hydrogen based on hydropower and integration/utilization in existing tank and loading infrastructures.
Project of Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH together with ZSW: Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research BW in Ulm) - Use of green hydrogen for truck fuel cell drives in logistics, municipal vehicles and public transport – fleet test and refueling infrastructure
(Project of the Technical University of Ulm (THU) together with IVECO Magirus AG and various freight forwarding companies) - Development of an industrial park in Schwäbisch Gmünd with the integration of an 8.5 MW PEM water electrolysis plant as the nucleus of a local hydrogen infrastructure with a future supra-regional pipeline connection.
(Project of the city of Schwäbisch Gmünd in cooperation with the Ostalbkreis) - Development of a system for the local and cross-grid production, storage and transport of hydrogen as well as its most efficient use in communities, neighborhoods, industry and households.
(Universities of Reutlingen, Rottenburg and Ulm in cooperation with Stadtwerke Tübingen, FairNetz GmbH Reutlingen, FairEnergie GmbH Reutlingen, Stadtwerke Rottenburg, Stadtwerke Mössingen, AVAT GmbH and other companies).
In addition, the establishment of an office for the region to coordinate the overall project, public relations work and consulting services is planned.
The project outline currently assumes a total project volume of around €57 million. The state has promised funding of around €33 million as part of the current ERDF program. The funding period here extends until 2027, and the project duration is expected to extend beyond this period in individual sub-projects. The details will now be worked out in the coming months by the consortium in close consultation with the ministry as part of the process for a full application.
