Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven

At the Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven (HLB), the focus is on the interaction of wind turbines with electrolytic hydrogen production. The increasing decentralization of power generation resulting from the integration of renewable energy sources places high demands on power grids, which have been designed for the parallel operation of centralized large generators until now. In the context of offshore wind farms in particular, the development, assessment, and operation of which are among Fraunhofer IWES’ key competences, there is a considerable need for optimization in order to ensure the security of supply. Direct onshore and offshore production of green hydrogen has a high potential to increase the security of supply in decentralized power grids by smoothing out supply and demand peaks by means of the generation and reconversion of H₂.

When the HLB, which is being funded by the State of Bremen and the EU, is completed in 2023, this very approach will be tested there on ten test areas equipped with electrolyzers with a total capacity of up to 10 MW, which will be supplied with electricity by an 8 MW wind turbine installed on site among other sources in the future. The electrical properties of electrolyzers in interaction with the fluctuating power feed from wind energy can be investigated on PEM and alkaline electrolyzers in order to gain insight into how electrolyzers and their power electronics need to be constructed so as to have a stabilizing effect on the grid and to structure the power grid reliably and flexibly in the future.

The electrolyzers are connected to the virtual 44 MVA medium-voltage network at the Dynamic Nacelle Testing Laboratory (DyNaLab), the leading facility for wind turbine grid integration tests, in order to simulate real-world operation. The areas for the test operation of electrolyzers will be available for use by interested industrial companies, allowing a wide range of issues to be investigated.

The HLB will additionally focus on the integration of hydrogen production, storage, and use with the aim of developing a local hydrogen economy. As such, not only will there be H₂ gas tanks and fuel cells on site, but local project partners will also investigate the use of H₂ in the food industry as well as the production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) and methanization processes.

Production: Testing of 1–5 MW electrolyzers.

Storage and reconversion: Stationary storage at low pressures and mobile storage at high pressures. Fuel cells and combined heat and power (CHP) plant available for reconversion. Additional systems for H2 use can be tested on the test field.

Import and distribution: Storage and transport planned via mobile storage units. Fueling systems possible.

Mobility: Testing of (stationary) fuel cells possible. Projects with local shipping industry being pursued (incl. simulation of sea conditions). Industrial testing for manufacturers prior to market launch. The invitations to test electrolyzers, compressors, fuel cells, etc., are explicitly aimed at large industrial manufacturers.

Complete hydrogen value creation chain.

Investment volume in plant technology: €12.9 million

There is a free accessible lookout container next to the Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven (HLB). The hydrogen test field can be overlooked from the viewing platform. The information boards provide information about the individual components of the HLB, the production of hydrogen in electrolysers and the importance of hydrogen for a CO₂-neutral future.

The lookout container is located next to the former hangar of the airport, Am Luneort 15, 27572 Bremerhaven (GPS coordinates: Latitude: North 53°29'56.237'', Longitude: East 8°34'39.742'').

Note: For safety reasons, it is unfortunately not possible to enter the hydrogen test field without personal protective equipment and safety instructions.