Flagship Project in Lower Saxony: Green Hydrogen from Solar Energy

Schrand.energy launched the “Schrand Energy Plant” project in Mid June. This innovative plant produces hydrogen using solar power. The energy generated in this way is stored and can be used when needed, enabling a secure local supply. The plant is being funded with around 2.91 million euros as part of Lower Saxony's hydrogen directive. Lower Saxony's Environment and Energy Minister Christian Meyer praised the project as an “impressive example of decentralized hydrogen use” and emphasized the importance of such pilot projects for the energy transition.

The “Schrand Energy Plant” is a pioneering project for the seasonal storage of surplus solar power in the form of hydrogen. With the help of a PEM electrolysis unit, green electricity is converted into hydrogen, stored and converted back into electricity and heat in a fuel cell when required. In this way, the state is supporting the development of an innovative energy system for storing renewable energy in the form of hydrogen. The system will initially be used in the company's own new building and is intended to enable CO2-neutral and energy self-sufficient building supply. The concept is being developed by the company from the outset as a modular, reproducible and scalable overall solution so that it can be transferred to other companies and buildings.

"Today's commissioning of the plant underlines Lower Saxony's leading role as a hydrogen state in Germany. Lower Saxony is on its way to becoming Germany's No. 1 hydrogen state. Half of the amount of hydrogen planned to date will be produced in Lower Saxony. Lower Saxony is also a leader in large-scale projects, with the majority of the pipelines and large-scale storage facilities, such as caverns, to be located in Lower Saxony. With 2.8 billion euros in funding from the federal and state governments, Lower Saxony also has the largest share of the IPCEI hydrogen projects, which are significant throughout Europe. Hydrogen can also contribute to climate neutrality for small companies," says Lower Saxony's Environment and Energy Minister Christian Meyer.