(Jülich) – The Research Center Jülich (FZ Jülich) will set up a “Helmholtz cluster for a sustainable and infrastructure-compatible hydrogen economy” (HC-H2) in the Rhenish mining area. The Federal Ministry of Research is financing the project with around 17 million euros over a period of around 860 years. North Rhine-Westphalia is also contributing with state funds.
The scientists research and develop innovative technologies for the production, logistics and use of green hydrogen. The aim is to strengthen the Rhenish mining district “as an attractive location for innovative energy companies, industrial settlements and founders,” according to a statement.
The focus is therefore on technologies “that rely on infrastructure that already exists or can be installed quickly and cheaply for the storage and transport of hydrogen”. This should enable rapid implementation on a large scale. One example is the existing natural gas network, which can also be used to transport hydrogen. In addition, the focus is on liquid or easily liquefiable hydrogen carriers that can be handled in a similar way to conventional fossil fuels, such as methanol or ammonia.
Another focus of the researchers is the optimization and scaling of LOHC technology, i.e. the binding of hydrogen to organic carrier liquids. These can be transported using tankers or tank trucks and stored in tank farms. The existing infrastructure for liquid fuels can therefore continue to be used.
The Research Center Jülich will set up a new Institute for Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW) for these tasks. Demonstration projects and systems “on a relevant scale” are planned throughout the Rhenish Revier. According to the information, these are intended to “provide the decisive impetus so that the cluster grows into entrepreneurial commitment to a sustainable hydrogen economy.” In order to bring research, industry, associations and municipalities in the region together more easily, the work of the HC-H2 will predominantly take place outside the research center's campus. The Institute for Sustainable Hydrogen Economy is being built in the Brainergy Park in Jülich.
deep link
https://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/DE/2021/2021-08-30-hc-h2.html
Photos
Extremely proud: FZ Jülich receives funding for the development of a hydrogen region. © Research Center Jülich / Ralf-Uwe Limbach
