Berlin, 26 July 2022 – Blueprint for establishing a sustainable regional hydrogen economy – together with its consulting subsidiary consulting4drive, DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH and the Reiner Lemoine Institute, IAV is developing a hydrogen strategy for the Chemnitz model region. The goal is to use H2 technology in the mobility and heating sectors as well as provide support for the transformation of Saxony’s automotive industry.

“We are going to take the many ideas already on the table and design a functioning hydrogen economy that shapes infrastructure and logistics, drives sector coupling forward and boosts independence from natural gas and other fossil energies”, says Dr. Ingmar Hartung, Team Leader of Hydrogen Infrastructure and Electrolysis at IAV.

Hydrogen is a key element of climate protection and thus also for the future value chain. Commissioned by the city of Chemnitz, which is supported by the hydrogen cluster, HZwo e.V., Berlin tech solution provider IAV, together with three other partners, are developing a strategy for the future use of hydrogen in the region in the southwest of Saxony by September 2023. Its development into a hydrogen region is funded under the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP2) by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, totalling up to 400,000 euros. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ).

Mayor of Chemnitz city, Sven Schulze, said: “When compared to the rest of the nation, and also internationally, the city of Chemnitz is practically destined to become a hydrogen technology region. This is underscored by the numerous innovations in Chemnitz-based trade and craft businesses, the superb scientific landscape as well as municipal politics and administration. Our mission is to combine economic development and climate protection to provide security and prosperity for our region and for the people who live and work here.”

The four partners received the contract for the consulting project following a call for tenders as part of the HyExpert model region (Chemnitz, as well as the districts of Zwickau, Mittelsachsen, Vogtland and Erzgebirge).

IAV benefits from 25 years of experience in the hydrogen sector. Its engineering expertise supports its customers across all stages of the H2 value chain – from the production of green hydrogen to planning and optimization of relevant facilities and systems, to storage and transport.

For this purpose, Hartung’s team issues recommendations about the H2 strategy that is being developed – where and in what quantities hydrogen should be produced or obtained, how it should be transported and for what purposes it should be utilised. This is new territory in many respects – for example for pipeline transport of hydrogen. Other key aspects include developing business and financing models in view of the rapidly changing regulatory framework conditions, as well as involving the public. The goal is to demonstrate to participating companies the long-term earnings prospects as well as ensure H2 technology is positioned close to the people.

Image source: Kerstin Grünert HZwo e.V.