Since 2016, we are operating a closed hydrogen supply cycle together with Coop, Coop Mineraloel AG and Eniwa AG. This currently comprises a hydrogen production facility, a hydrogen filling station, a hydrogen-powered truck and several hydrogen-powered cars.

H2 Energy’s role in this cycle is to produce and distribute the renewable hydrogen.

The hydrogen is made by electrolysis, an electrochemical process that splits and harvests oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2) molecules from water (H2O). Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology uses a solid membrane to separate the gases, allowing the hydrogen to be compressed at the same time. This means that much less energy is required to compress the gas to its storage pressure of 50-300 bar. The hydrogen can be stored temporarily without any losses caused by the storage process. The electrochemical process enables highly dynamic operation ranging from 0 to 100% of the electrolyzer’s nominal output. This offers power companies a new way of using electricity: Generating a storable gas (hydrogen created through electrolysis) and thus balancing supply and demand.

After the gas has been dried, PEM electrolysis produces an ultra-pure energy source with a purity level of over 99.9998%. The technology allows many potential impurities such as sulfur and hydrocarbons to be excluded as required for specific functions. Unlike other forms of electrolysis, PEM electrolysis does not need a cost-intensive gas cleaning stage in order to comply with the automotive industry’s purity requirements (SAE J2719). As with all other electrolysis methods, PEM electrolysis also requires a drying phase.

At present, we are working together with various partners to multiply this cycle throughout Switzerland. Our plan is to establish a nation-wide network of hydrogen filling stations and a corresponding supply chain over the next few years. As we are supported in these efforts by a broad and comprehensive network of electricity companies and filling station operators, we can exploit synergies and realize sustainable solutions with high added value.

Building permits have already been granted for several hydrogen filling stations in the midlands of Switzerland. Additional building applications are currently being prepared. We are in the planning phase for building several megawatt-scale hydrogen production facilities together with power plant operators. The first megawatt facility will be realised together with the power supplier Alpiq. Furthermore, we coordinate the logistics, which are provided by our logistics partners.

Hyundai Fuel Cell Truck (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor)

On the user side, we are working together with Hyundai, supporting the development of mass-produced hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. Commercial vehicles guarantee a scheduled and continuous demand for hydrogen filling stations, thus paving the way for a widespread expansion of the filling station network in an economic manner. This in turn is a prerequisite for establishing renewable hydrogen in the private car segment.

We are also working abroad on the realization of complete hydrogen supply cycles, from the electricity production to the end consumer. In Norway, we are collaborating with local partners to develop concepts for the application of renewable hydrogen in the maritime sector, including the related production and logistics solutions.