Competition launched for hydrogen technology and innovation centre

The competition to select the site of a hydrogen technology and innovation centre for mobility applications began today. The centre will become part of the network of the planned German Centre for Future Mobility. Interested consortia can submit their concepts until 20 January 2021.

The competition is to identify a location for a hydrogen technology and innovation centre which focusses on the hydrogen and fuel cell technology value chain for mobility applications. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) will commission up to three competition winners with an implementation feasibility study. This forms the basis for the final choice of location for the construction of the centre.

A hydrogen technology and innovation centre will provide a development, certification and standardisation institute that, because of the early market phase and associated high costs, cannot be produced without public funding. The centre will thus offer small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and start-ups in particular a development environment so they can competitively position themselves in an international context. There are already similar institutes in other international economic regions such as Japan, China and the US.
In terms of content, the focus of the centre’s concept should be on the fuel cell system. Other components and relevant interfaces can also be considered. Furthermore, infrastructural incorporation with refuelling station technology and the corresponding vehicle interfaces should be taken into account.

The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is the awarding competition body. The programme management association: National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW GmbH) and Projektträger Jülich (PtJ) are responsible for implementing the competition. NOW is responsible for providing specialist support in terms of the programme’s orientation, and PtJ provides specialist support for the competition’s implementation.

Competition entries can be submitted until 20 January 2021 via Plattform easy-Online.

Important questions arising from an application will be answered at an online seminar on 1 December, 2pm-4pm. Register now.

NOW Gmbh and Projektträger Jülich are responsible for the organisation and implementation of the competition. Questions about the orientation of the programme or content can addressed to:

Dr. Susanne Kuhri
Tel.: +49 30 311 611 6606

Questions on implementation and funding evaluation can be addressed to:

Dr. Sophie Haebel
Tel.: +49 30 20199 532