Zittau Plant Combines Electrolyzer and Heat Pump

Green hydrogen can make the German economy future-proof. In addition to imports, cost-effective domestic electrolyzers are needed that generate hydrogen from green electricity and economically utilize the byproducts oxygen and heat. The new "LA-SeVe" pilot plant in Zittau, where heat extraction from PEM electrolysis in conjunction with a heat pump is being tested for the first time, is pointing the way to this. It has now been inaugurated by the project partners and funding bodies. The plant was developed as part of the "IntegrH2ate" project, part of the H2Giga hydrogen flagship project, and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

"Hydrogen will be the crucial building block for making even those industries that are difficult to decarbonize future-proof. The chemical, steel, and heavy-duty transport industries need green hydrogen, and its production opens up new value creation opportunities in Germany," explains Prof. Mario Ragwitz, Director of the Fraunhofer IEG. "With the new facility, the Lusatia Energy Region demonstrates how to apply its proven expertise for the future. We are pleased to contribute to the successful structural transformation in Lusatia with this laboratory facility."