Green Hydrogen Sofa: A leap into the future of energy management and fuel cell technology
Yesterday, a meeting was held at the Radisson Blu under the banner of the "Green Hydrogen Sofa" organised by the Renewable Energy Cluster (EEHH) in Hamburg. The event attracted industry experts and interested parties alike to discuss the latest developments and challenges in the field of energy management for electrolysis and fuel cell technology for intralogistics.
Innovations through ABB Ability Optimax for Green Hydrogen
The first impulse was provided by Jutta Strohbeck, Head of Industry Sales at ABB AG, who presented the "ABB Ability Optimax for Green Hydrogen" energy management system developed by the company. The system aims to reduce energy consumption in electrolysis through optimised operation. Strohbeck emphasised the importance of improving the efficiency of each phase of the hydrogen value chain in order to minimise the energy required for transport and storage. Thanks to the Energy Cockpit, plant operators can monitor energy consumption in real time and ensure energy-optimised production based on current energy availability and market prices. This innovation makes it possible to save up to 16 per cent of energy in typical electrolysis plants.
The future of hydrogen technology in intralogistics by STILL
In the second keynote speech, Andreas Tsioulakis, Vice President Electronic Systems at the KION Group, gave insights into the near future of hydrogen technology in intralogistics. He presented Hamburg's first production facility for fuel cell systems, which STILL will open in November 2023. This development marks a milestone not only for the industry, but also for Hamburg as a centre of innovation. STILL produces fuel cell systems and integrates them into its own warehouse trucks at the customer's request, offering companies a realistic and feasible solution for utilising this future technology.
Energy management and the challenges of practice
Jutta Strohbeck from ABB emphasised that despite the progress made, the high cost of electricity remains a challenge. The company has responded to this challenge by developing a simulated energy management system that includes a substation, a small system of electrolysers and an H2 storage unit. This system enables predictive planning of production based on the volatility of the electricity market and the availability of green electricity, particularly from nuclear power plants in France.
The market and infrastructure: a look into the future
The discussions showed that the market and the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen technology still need to be developed. Despite the existing technological solutions, infrastructure remains a critical issue. The presentations emphasised the importance of small, scalable solutions as a starting point for familiarisation with the technology and its expansion.
The "Green Hydrogen Sofa" event provided a comprehensive perspective on current developments and we are very grateful for the concise insights.
