System provider

Since HPS was founded in 2014, several suppliers have emerged in recent years, particularly in Germany but also internationally, which offer energy supply systems with hydrogen technology to the building sector (see table 3). Their products can be divided into complete systems and modular systems. Complete systems in the form of standardized products, such as those supplied by HPS, Solenco Power and Lavo, make use of conventional electrolyzer and fuel cell capabilities. Systems can be scaled up by linking several systems together. In principle it is possible to increase the storage capacity, as exemplified by the hydrogen house in Zusmarshausen, through a variable number of gas cylinder racks, regardless of the number of individual systems.

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In modular systems, electrolyzers and fuel cells are used in varying numbers and with varying output levels according to customer requirements. A further distinction can also be drawn here in terms of the system enclosure. H2 CoreSystems and H2 Powercell integrate system components either in a cabinet (HydroCab PowerCore) or a shipping container (H2 Multi Purpose Container, H2PowerCube 3.0) in standardized sizes. Modularity is thereby constrained by the limited installation space and further scaling is enabled by combining multiple cabinets or containers.

Ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions prefers to house electrolyzers and fuel cells in 19-inch cabinets. If the number of system components exceeds the capacity of the cabinets, the company develops a custom design. Umstro engineers the systems and the component enclosures in line with customer requirements which means that the design can be highly specific to the individual project.

Each of the two foreign manufacturers have a unique selling point in comparison with their German competitors. Solenco Power uses a reversible electrochemical cell that can be operated both in electrolyzer mode and in fuel cell mode. The Australian supplier Lavo uses metal hydride systems for storing hydrogen.

Outlook

Although several projects have already been implemented successfully and the number of system providers is increasing, it still remains to be seen how the market will develop in future. Due to the current energy supply crisis, self-sufficient hydrogen-based energy supply systems for buildings are receiving a great deal of attention. This interest is driven by the desire for independence and for a sustainable, local supply solution. Despite the financial support that is on offer, the costs for hydrogen-based supply solutions are still too high at the moment for widespread adoption. For customers seeking entirely off-grid supply solutions, they will undoubtedly need to consider producing, storing and using hydrogen locally, and the projects and system suppliers presented here illustrate the feasibility of doing so at different levels, from individual buildings and multifamily homes to commercial premises and neighborhoods.

Authors:
Marius Holschbach
marius.holschbach@smail.th-koeln.de

Professor Peter Stenzel
TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences, Cologne Institute for Renewable Energy (CIRE)
peter.stenzel@th-koeln.de