The EXI measure “HyTrA” (Hydrogen Tryout Areal) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN – Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit) was completed in June 2025 after two years of trial operation. Thanks to the funding, the electricity supply at the assembly site of a South African company was converted from a diesel generator to a green, decentralized hydrogen and fuel cell system.
Nilgün Parker, Head of Sustainable Financial Policy, Environment and Foreign Trade Promotion, BMUKN: “The EXI project ‘HyTrA’ has impressively demonstrated how a sustainable energy supply can work with forward-looking technologies for the local production and use of green hydrogen. The successful trial operation of the hydrogen microgrid has provided practical insights that will both advance technological development in Germany and demonstrate the environmental potential of such energy systems. Close cooperation with the local partner has resulted in a successful model that can serve as an important reference for further applications in South Africa and beyond.”
Dagmar Fehler, CEO and spokesperson for NOW GmbH: “The HyTrA project is an excellent example of the mutual opportunities offered by innovative international cooperation, which benefits both German technology companies and economic and ecological development in South Africa. NOW GmbH supports projects such as this through its ‘Export Initiative Environmental Protection’ with its technical expertise and aims to promote the development of a more sustainable and secure energy supply worldwide.”
Just under two years ago, a container-based hydrogen microgrid went into operation in Cape Town at the site of camping vehicle body manufacturer Alu-Cab. The microgrid converts renewable electricity from a PV system into green hydrogen by means of electrolysis, stores it, and, when needed, converts it back into electricity using a fuel cell. Before the HyTrA plant went into operation, the site was supplied with either largely fossil-based electricity from the disruption-prone grid or a diesel generator, which ensured emergency power supply during regular power cuts lasting several hours (known as load shedding). With the start of test operations in July 2023, the hydrogen microgrid has completely replaced this previously fossil-based power supply and successfully decarbonised it.
The HyTrA system, which was built by the project consortium consisting of Fraunhofer IWU and Texulting GmbH using mostly German technology components, therefore provides proof of the usability and reliability of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in decentralized energy supply. For the South African company Alu-Cab, the HyTrA project means reduced dependence on fossil fuels and volatile grid power supplies, while also reducing emissions and operational downtime due to load shedding.
During the project period, which has been funded by the BMUKN, the HyTrA project was closely monitored by the project management agency ZUG gGmbH and the program company NOW GmbH. Even after the project period, the plant will remain in operation at the site and continue to provide further insights. It will also be open to visitors as an inspiring practical example of the local environmental and climate impact of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
More information about the “HyTra” project
About EXI
Since 2016, the BMUKN has supported German GreenTech SMEs in disseminating innovative environmental technologies ‘Made in Germany’ through its funding programme, EXI. The goal is to create optimised environmental conditions for sustainable development and better environmental and living conditions in the target countries. By supporting appropriate infrastructure, the EXI projects contribute to implementing green public services and environmentally-friendly services globally. NOW GmbH is responsible for EXI’s focus on green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in decentralised energy supply since 2021. As the EXI project management organisation, Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH (Future – Environment – Society) has supported the Federal Environment Ministry in carrying out its tasks since 2022. More information on EXI can be found here.
About NOW GmbH
Since 2008, NOW GmbH has been supporting the federal government’s targets in its climate and industrial policy. The tasks of the federally-owned company include developing, monitoring and evaluating funding programmes about climate-neutral mobility and energy supply. NOW GmbH experts supervise projects in the areas of hydrogen, fuel cells, battery and renewable fuels. They reimagine mobility and fuels for cars, buses, trains, commercial vehicles, ships and airplanes, and support the establishment and further development of charging infrastructure and hydrogen refuelling stations for cars and trucks. More information on NOW can be found here.
