(Ulm) – The Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) has begun construction of its research factory for hydrogen and fuel cells (HyFaB) in Ulm. The scientists here want to one day research automated manufacturing and quality assurance processes, factory acceptance tests and commissioning of fuel cell stacks. In addition, skilled workers should also be qualified and industry knowledge generated.
Reduce costs for green hydrogen
Fuel cell vehicles powered by green hydrogen are one of the most environmentally and climate-friendly means of transport, especially when long journeys and short refueling times are required, according to the ZSW. “In order to make this technology suitable for the mass market, costs must be reduced and production capacities must be significantly expanded at the same time.”
The HyFaB research factory is intended to accompany and accelerate the transition from currently predominantly handcrafted production to industrial mass production. The focus is on scalable and series-suitable processes for component production as well as on manufacturing processes for the stacking process. In addition to ZSW, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg is involved in the HyFaB project as a scientific partner.
Support from politics
The researchers receive political support from, among others, the Minister of Economic Affairs of the state of Baden-Württemberg. Minister Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut is funding the project with 10,5 million euros and handed over the funding notice in August last year (we reported). Environment and Energy Minister Franz Untersteller expressed his support, as did Ulm's Mayor Gunther Czisch.
“We are already actively working with leading fuel cell manufacturers in Germany and are aware of the urgent needs of the industry,” explained Markus Hölzle, ZSW board member and head of the Electrochemical Energy Technologies division in Ulm. “With the new HyFaB research factory we will be able to prepare even better for the industrial production of fuel cells in the future.”
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new building with an area of 3.300 square meters took place in February. The HyFaB buildings are being built on a property neighboring the ZSW building on Lise-Meitner-Straße. Commissioning is planned for early 2022.
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Groundbreaking ceremony in Ulm / © ZSW
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HyFaB visualization / © ZSW / ZG Architekten
