Hydrogen Project in Hohenwart Continues

In autumn 2023, Energie Südbayern (ESB) and Energienetze Bayern in Hohenwart (district of Pfaffenhofen a. d. Ilm), together with Thüga, converted an existing local grid with ten connected private and one commercial customer to 100% hydrogen under the project name H2Direkt. It is now clear that the hydrogen supply will continue and a start will be made on setting up local hydrogen production. H2Direkt becomes H2Dahoam.

The first step towards establishing local hydrogen production has been taken. While the hydrogen has so far been delivered by trailer, ESB is now working on setting up hydrogen production directly on site. An electrolyzer is to be built near the current feed-in plant for this purpose. The first local hydrogen is expected to be fed in in 2027 - initially for the customers already connected, with expansion to other municipal areas conceivable at a later date. In the future, the company's own PV electricity will be used for electrolysis. H2Dahoam thus combines the generation of regional, renewable electricity with the production of hydrogen and the use of clean energy without long transportation routes.

Marcus Böske, CEO of ESB, is looking forward to the next phase of the project: "With H2Direkt, we are demonstrating the suitability of existing gas distribution grids for hydrogen in real operation. But we are not resting on our laurels. With H2Dahoam, we are bringing hydrogen production to Hohenwart."

Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Aiwanger is delighted that the pilot project was so successful and is now being continued with H2Dahoam. "The openness to technology has clearly proven itself here, heating with 100 percent hydrogen works. The fact that the hydrogen is to be produced directly on site in Hohenwart in future with zero emissions is the logical next step. Hydrogen can be used to decarbonize natural gas grids without having to convert or insulate the buildings. This can be a major advantage over heat pumps, especially in older buildings. If hydrogen is available cheaply enough, it can be used on a larger scale," says Aiwanger.