Synergies Between Space Flight, Energy and Transportation

By

September 29, 2016

Image titel:

Sources:

Synergies Between Space Flight, Energy and Transportation

dlr-site-test-vulcain-2

Testing the Vulcain 2 at DLR site

The Institute of Space Propulsion of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Lampoldshausen is one of Europe‘s largest hydrogen consumers. The organization primarily uses cryogenic hydrogen to test the main and upper stage engines of Europe’s Ariane 5 rocket. The experiences made during those tests will now be expanded even further: Together with ZEAG Energie, the DLR is planning to implement a regenerative hydrogen process chain. It creates the required hydrogen in a 1 MW PEM electrolysis system, which draws its power from the neighboring wind farm Harthäuser Wald, and makes the hydrogen available on-site for use in space flight, energy and transport applications. This turns the H2ORIZON project into an entirely new demonstration and research platform for utilizing a wide range of hydrogen technologies.

When the Vulcain 2 main engine is running at test stand P5, it converts about 28 tons of hydrogen into fuel energy within ten minutes. The maximum output is three gigawatts. And that’s not all: The DLR in Lampoldshausen also operates test stands for innovative engine designs using gaseous hydrogen. The amount necessary for these manifold endeavors comes from large-capacity units storing cryogenic and gaseous hydrogen and from a network that transports the fuel from a central storage facility. This fuel is available as both cryogenic and gaseous hydrogen (at 320 or 800 bar, respectively).

H2ORIZON project

The H2ORIZON project was launched to meet the DLR‘s aim of making its long-term experiences in hydrogen applications as well as the existing infrastructure available to other industries not associated with space flight. The ultimate goal is to implement a technology transfer that ties the space flight, energy and transport sector to hydrogen as its central component, in order to enable the use of a wide variety of hydrogen technologies on-site while benefitting from the best possible utilization of synergies.

At the same time the DLR …

link-to-e-journal-web

Cross-sector platform

The three focus areas of H2ORIZON are:

1) Establish and operate a sustainable, industrial-scale process chain that will generate and supply hydrogen for application in various industries or sectors

2) Guarantee sustainable and secure energy supply of the DLR location with heat and power sourced from natural gas and hydrogen

3) Set up a demonstration and research platform for the use of and research into a wide range of hydrogen technologies beyond the already planned process chain

To be able to generate renewable hydrogen in large quantities, the DLR location will have a dedicated power line connected to the wind farm. The transmission output will be as much as ten megawatts. Hydrogen will be created by an electrolysis system with a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and a power rating of one megawatt in the first stage of development. The great capacity that the wind farm has available leaves the door wide open for later plant upgrades. The electrolysis system is a product of manufacturer ITM Power, based in Sheffield, UK.

Demonstration and research platform

The H2ORIZON project will be implemented as a demonstration and research platform open to any kind of technology and is planned to be available for third-party use as well.

Provided that the interplay between the components is duly optimized, linking the two energy carriers, hydrogen and natural gas, to electrical energy and heat, and to the demand from space flight, energy and transport applications can create synergy effects and an ideal system load that would not be possible if each sector was on its own. The DLR and ZEAG hope to gain valuable insights into what a renewable H2 value chain could look like in terms of technology and economic feasibility. Additionally, the project should try and showcase on-site strategies that will offer solutions for a successful energy transformation, for example, by meeting the challenges of peak loads and performance in the power grid, the long-term storage of energy or inexpensive fuel supply for emission-free transportation.

Regional importance and beyond

In Lampoldshausen, the DLR is developing 2.5 hectares (62 acres) to make room for the implementation of H2ORIZON and allow for possible future expansions of the demonstration and research platform. The land will also be available for new buildings by the DLR and local institutions as well as for new collaborations. The land development affirms the research center’s commitment to grow the location. Additionally, creating renewable hydrogen in Lampoldshausen will shorten supply lines in southern Germany significantly and make it possible to base hydrogen applications in the industrial, energy and transportation sector on renewable sources.

Author: Thorben Andersen, M.Sc., Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Institut für Raumfahrtantriebe

Here are interesting and current articles on the topic of hydrogen – stocks and the stock market!

Economic prospects for companies in the hydrogen sector | Future, stocks & hydrogen companies on the stock exchange and more…

Which hydrogen companies will prevail in the competitive market in the long term? Get tips and cartwheels and learn more about risks or opportunities. Our stock market specialist and expert author Sven Jösting reports critically, independently and competently.

Dec 07 2023

Clean hydrogen from waste and plastic

Swedish port on the island Tjörn wants to be completely green Plastic waste is a huge problem to...
Dec 07 2023

Hydrogen version of the Pocket Rocket e-moped

Doubling the distance with a fuel cell range extender An electric moped with a 150-kilometer...
Dec 07 2023

New plants for offshore water treatment

Technology group Bosch is increasing its involvement in water treatment for green hydrogen....
Dec 04 2023

University of Stuttgart orders FC power plant

The University of Stuttgart has ordered a fuel cell power plant from the Bavarian manufacturer...
Nov 29 2023

H2 from seawater

Researchers have succeeded in producing hydrogen directly from seawater In Australia, researchers...
Nov 29 2023

Opportunity for green fuel

Axpo drives H2 production in Switzerland forward The Swiss energy corporation Axpo has identified...
Nov 29 2023

Hydrogen in the Nuremberg metropolitan region

Potential innovation center for hydrogen technologies The German city of Nuremberg is aiming to...
Nov 16 2023

Hydrogen on trend

At the moment, hydrogen is – at least in the energy sector – on everyone’s lips. This is also...
Nov 13 2023

Norway doubles number of H2 projects

Hesitant politicians put the brakes on the expected upswing Activities in the Norwegian hydrogen...
Nov 09 2023

Quicker scaling

Interview with Tassilo Gast from Emerson If hydrogen is expected to change the world, then the...
Nov 09 2023

Germany gets steering committee for H2 standards

Norm writing is a very dry but also very important topic – especially when a completely new...
Nov 06 2023

DWV independent again

Since August 2023, the German hydrogen and fuel cell association (Deutscher Wasserstoff- und...
Nov 06 2023

A hydrogen system for all

Polish company Virtud shows the way About 20 years ago, solar power and Passivhaus design captured...
Nov 06 2023

District becomes hydrogen pioneer

Hydrogen Regions series: HyExpert region AachenPLUS There was once a well-known German sports...
Oct 31 2023

Overcoming hurdles – restructuring – creating knowledge

Hydrogen Regions series: HyExpert region AachenPLUS The HyExpert region of AachenPLUS in Germany...
Oct 31 2023

Photovoltaics and hydrogen in the real world

Guest article by Karl-Heinz Remmers, PV pioneer For a long time the public has held a deep...
Oct 25 2023

National hydrogen strategy 2.0

German government steps up the pace Coordination was hard enough when there were “only” four...
Oct 25 2023

Green full supply all year round

HPS inaugurates home with solar hydrogen storage system In Schöneiche, a suburb east of Berlin,...
Oct 17 2023

Hy-Fcell offered technical tours for the first time

Landesmesse Stuttgart has put the industry event just renamed Hy-Fcell on course for growth. In...
Oct 16 2023

The hydrogen megatrend

Dear readers In recent years, hydrogen has managed to move out of its niche and onto the political...

0 Comments

Leave a Reply