Hydrogen Fuel Tank in Dusseldorf Promotes Eco-Friendly Energy
In a significant stride towards achieving climate neutrality, Düsseldorf has opened Europe's most powerful hydrogen refueling station on Höherweg. This station, a joint venture by key partners H2 Mobility, Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, and Rheinbahn, marks a milestone in the city's quest for a greener future [1].
The new station, capable of daily hydrogen production of up to five tonnes, can refuel three vehicles simultaneously, including buses, trucks, passenger cars, and light commercial vehicles [2][3]. This development is expected to boost hydrogen mobility in Germany, sending a strong signal for the industry's ramp-up.
The federal government has provided a grant of 1.212 million euros for the electrolyzer, a crucial component of the refueling station. This funding is part of the government's initiative to create local value added and strengthen Germany's technological competitiveness in the hydrogen ecosystem [4].
The electrolyzer, built by Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated from plant, animal, or microbial waste from Düsseldorf's trash. The location of the electrolyzer next to the gas station aims to avoid CO2 emissions during the transport of hydrogen [5].
The Rheinbahn, which operates 20 buses equipped with fuel cells for hydrogen energy use, will regularly come to Höherweg for refueling, along with other fuel cell vehicles [6]. Mayor Stephan Keller stated that the new station shows they are on the right track towards their goal of climate neutrality by 2035 [7].
Julien Mounier, CEO of Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, emphasized that this local production creates added value and significantly contributes to the decarbonization of Düsseldorf's mobility sector [8]. Annette Grabbe, CEO of the Rheinbahn, who holds a bus driver's license and could drive a hydrogen bus, expressed her excitement about the new development [9].
The federal government, with a goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2045, has contributed a total of 3,137,000 euros for the construction of the hydrogen refueling station on Höherweg [10]. The expansion of the corresponding infrastructure for hydrogen refueling is a win for climate protection and modern mobility in Düsseldorf.
NOW GmbH acts as the coordinator for the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport’s funding program, supporting the project financially and strategically, though not directly operationally [1][2][3]. The hydrogen refueling station on Höherweg was officially opened by Martin Jüngel (CEO H2 Mobility), Mayor Stephan Keller, NRW Minister of Economics Mona Neubauer, Julien Mounier (CEO of the municipal utilities), Frank Fronzke (CEO H2 Mobility), Annette Grabbe (CEO of the Rheinbahn), Dagmar Fehler (CEO NOW GmbH), and Christian Hirte, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) [11].
Sources: [1] H2 Mobility press release, https://www.h2-mobility.de/en/press/press-releases/hydrogen-refuelling-station-duesseldorf/ [2] Stadtwerke Düsseldorf press release, https://www.stadtwerke.de/presse/aktuelles/hydrogen-refuelling-station-duesseldorf-hoeherweg-opened/ [3] Rheinbahn press release, https://www.rheinbahn.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/hydrogen-refuelling-station-hoeherweg-opened/ [4] Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action press release, https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2022/05/h2-mobilitaet-duesseldorf-hoeherweg.html [5] Stadtwerke Düsseldorf press release, https://www.stadtwerke.de/presse/aktuelles/hydrogen-refuelling-station-duesseldorf-hoeherweg-opened/ [6] Rheinbahn press release, https://www.rheinbahn.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/hydrogen-refuelling-station-hoeherweg-opened/ [7] Mayor Stephan Keller's statement, https://www.duesseldorf.de/stadt/presse/pressemitteilungen/neue-hydrogen-ankrafteinheit-duesseldorf-hoeherweg-eingeweiht/ [8] Julien Mounier's statement, https://www.stadtwerke.de/presse/aktuelles/hydrogen-refuelling-station-duesseldorf-hoeherweg-opened/ [9] Annette Grabbe's statement, https://www.rheinbahn.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/hydrogen-refuelling-station-hoeherweg-opened/ [10] Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action press release, https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2022/05/h2-mobilitaet-duesseldorf-hoeherweg.html [11] Photos from the opening ceremony, https://www.h2-mobility.de/en/press/press-releases/hydrogen-refuelling-station-duesseldorf/
- The new hydrogen refueling station in Düsseldorf, a significant development in the field of climate-change mitigation, is a testament to the city's dedication to environmental-science and sustainable-living.
- The industry is taking note of Düsseldorf's commitment to renewable-energy sources, with the opening of Europe's most powerful hydrogen refueling station being a strong signal for the industry's ramp-up.
- The expansion of this hydrogen refueling infrastructure is not only a win for climate protection but also a step towards modernizing mobility in Düsseldorf, aligning with the city's goal of climate neutrality by 2035.
- The hydrogen production process at the Düsseldorf station is innovative, using electricity generated from plant, animal, or microbial waste from the city's trash, demonstrating the integration of technology and science in the fight against climate-change.
- This renewable-energy project has garnered the support of various stakeholders, including the federal government, finance institutions, local businesses, and the environmental-science community, highlighting the collaborative effort required for a greener lifestyle.
- The opening of the hydrogen refueling station on Höherweg is more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it's a beacon of hope for a cleaner, more sustainable home-and-garden environment and a greener future for generations to come.
