Hohenwart is converting its existing gas network to hydrogen

The H2Direkt project, jointly implemented by Energie Südbayern and Energienetze Bayern, is transitioning to regular operation and will continue under the name H2Dahoam. This marks the conclusion of a two-and-a-half-year pilot phase that sets new standards for climate-neutral heating throughout Germany.

Conversion of an Existing Gas Network to Hydrogen Infrastructure

For the first time within this project, an existing natural gas network was converted entirely to 100 percent hydrogen operation. Since 2023, ten private households and one commercial customer have been reliably supplied through the network year-round. The hydrogen heating systems used in the project were provided by project partner Vaillant. This demonstrates practical viability: existing gas infrastructure can transport hydrogen and be used for heating purposes without the need for new construction.

The pilot phase was part of the TransHyDE lead project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, in which Energie Südbayern, Energienetze Bayern, and Thüga AG also participated.

Conclusion of First Hydrogen Supply Contracts

Project participants report positive technical feedback from the pilot phase, high customer satisfaction, and support from local government. Nine households and one commercial customer have now concluded the first hydrogen supply contracts for private customers nationwide. Marcus Böske, spokesperson for ESB management, emphasizes the importance of this decision: "Above all, the high satisfaction and clear desire of the connected households to continue the project have reinforced our decision." Vaillant has replaced the field test devices with series-production condensing boilers of the ecoTEC plus VC type, which can operate with 100 percent hydrogen using special conversion kits.

Regional Hydrogen Production from 2027

Starting in 2027, hydrogen that was previously delivered by truck trailer will be produced locally via an electrolyzer. A hydrogen storage facility will balance production and demand, with a photovoltaic solar farm to follow later. Hohenwart will also be located on Germany's hydrogen core network in the future. The municipality's heat planning has already identified areas as potential hydrogen supply zones.