Pfeffenhausen (dpa/lby) - In the Lower Bavarian hydrogen center Pfeffenhausen (Landshut district), construction of a so-called electrolyser for the production of hydrogen from renewable energies began on Thursday. From the second half of 2023, the plant will initially produce 440 tons and later up to 1000 tons of "green" hydrogen.
According to the HY2B consortium, customers will be hydrogen filling stations for buses and trucks as well as industry. The electricity will initially come from a photovoltaic free-field system, which is scheduled to be connected to the grid next year. Two wind turbines are also planned. An electrolyser can be used to produce hydrogen from water using green electricity, which does not release any greenhouse gases when used.
One of four technology and user centers for "green" hydrogen in Germany is being built in Pfeffenhausen. The other three are to be built in Duisburg (North Rhine-Westphalia), Chemnitz (Saxony) and in northern Germany. Among other things, companies should be given the opportunity to test and further develop applications related to hydrogen.
The electrolyser for the climate-neutral production of hydrogen is the heart of the plant, in which half a billion euros will be invested in the next few years. "Here in Pfeffenhausen, a Bavarian hydrogen hub is being created, which will be important for the entire southern German region," said Bavaria's Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger (free voters). The center is supported by the federal government with 72.5 million euros and by the Free State of Bavaria with 30 million euros. In addition, business investments are to be made in the location.
Hydrogen produced in a climate-neutral manner will play an important role in the energy transition in Germany. "Green" hydrogen is considered essential to achieve the climate goals. With electricity from renewable sources, the hydrogen is produced by electrolysis, with which the energy requirements of the steel industry are to be covered, for example. The energy source produced from green electricity is currently still scarce and comparatively expensive.
