A pilot plant for hydrogen production is to be built on the former Luneort airfield in Bremerhaven. The project was recently unveiled by the state government.

Claudia Schilling, Senator for Science and Ports spoke of the need to make Bremerhaven a “center of excellence” for hydrogen.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems wants green (ie) CO2-neutral) hydrogen at the airfield. An electrolysis device is required for the conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen. A large old hangar is to be rebuilt. It could then absorb up to 10,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year, enough for a hydrogen fuel cell.

The model project is initially planned for two years. The state of Bremen and the EU share the cost of 20 million euros. A former wind turbine from Adwen will provide the necessary energy for the hydrogen fuel cell with a capacity of up to 1,000 tons per year.

The hope of the project is to further develop hydrogen as an energy source. The pilot plant presented in Bremerhaven could produce around one ton of hydrogen every 24 hours.

It would be enough to drive 200 cars 600 kilometers. Hydrogen could also be used as fuel for ships in the future. The corresponding ship propulsion system is being developed in Bremerhaven.

Recently, the German federal states adopted a joint hydrogen strategy. It is hoped that hydrogen will lead to the long-term development of new industries, in particular transport, energy and energy efficiency. This should become a pillar of the planned energy transition.