Hydrogen Mobility

Hydrogen picks up speed

Electric or hydrogen? Ready for the next paradigm shift?

The great advantage of hydrogen is the fact that it can replace petrol, diesel or paraffin in the course of hydrogen mobility. The molecule of the future can be produced wherever there is water and electricity, and it can be refuelled almost as easily and quickly as conventional fuels. Only the availability of hydrogen is currently limited, which should soon change for the better with the support of targeted funding programmes from the German government.

The background to the funding programmes is the Paris climate agreement with ambitious targets for a largely greenhouse gas-neutral Europe by 2050, by which time around 40 percent of energy requirements in the transport sector in Germany are to be covered by hydrogen. At around 70 per cent, lorry traffic in particular is expected to account for the largest share of the energy-policy turnaround in transport through hydrogen technology. This will make it possible to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports for transport from the current 95 per cent to 75 per cent.

The HydroHub supports the automotive industry and mobility providers in the planning and implementation of projects in the field of hydrogen mobility with pragmatic consulting, engineering and the development of expertise (training).

Hydrogen mobility: safe ways to realise climate targets

The central challenge for industry, transport companies and politicians is to get a nationwide hydrogen infrastructure for fossil-free hydrogen mobility on the road efficiently, safely and economically as soon as possible.

The HydroHub offers a comprehensive service portfolio for this purpose. In addition to technical topics, it also includes the development of mobility concepts and advice on hydrogen investments for H₂ vehicle fleets. We also offer qualification measures (AHW, transport companies) and support the step-by-step development and transfer of hydrogen expertise within the organisation.

In order to make hydrogen technology in hydrogen mobility a safe thing, we work along the entire spectrum of tasks with market-oriented research, feasibility studies and concepts for the safety of systems and for operation. To this end, the HydroHub contributes the expertise of various TÜV NORD GROUP companies from eight decades as the first service provider for mobility.

Hydrogen mobility engineering services: We bring H₂ from research to market maturity

The HydroHub provides an overview of measures for the continuous improvement and further cost reduction of fuel cells. Experts from TÜV NORD GROUP companies support all development progress through to market maturity with safety and engineering concepts as well as emission and range measurements for the various vehicle types.

The efficiency of fuel cells in vehicles is currently around 60 per cent. A modern petrol engine has an efficiency of around 24 per cent, while diesel engines can use around 40 per cent of the energy stored in the fuel. Incidentally, aircraft engines also have roughly the same efficiency as modern petrol engines - the best ones almost match the performance of diesel engines.

Against this background, everything speaks in favour of fuel cells for vehicles that have to cover longer distances and move heavier loads every day. Equipping lorries with hydrogen hybrid drives is also recommended by the National Hydrogen Council (NWR) as the next step for hydrogen mobility.

To promote the market launch of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, the German government is providing funding as part of the National Innovation Programme for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP). The HydroHub offers advice on the relevant funding framework and for the implementation of the measures.

Building infrastructure safely to get hydrogen mobility on the road

The infrastructure of refuelling stations and depots must be adapted to the new technology. This involves examining how the new gas storage facilities can be set up, safely filled and how vehicles can be refuelled without risk by all parties involved. The transport of hydrogen to refuelling stations and their connection to gas pipelines must also be planned from a safety perspective - not least in order to increase acceptance of the new fuel. This is another area where the HydroHub contributes the comprehensive expertise of various TÜV NORD GROUP companies.

If you are aiming for hydrogen mobility, please contact us and briefly describe your project. We will put together a team of experts for you.

Insight into engineering for hydrogen mobility

HydroHub's support includes engineering services for hydrogen mobility in a wide range of segments. This includes feasibility analyses and the development of the technology. Another core aspect is the expansion of the infrastructure required for hydrogen mobility.

With our broad expertise and our experts, we are able to advise you on engineering for hydrogen mobility, for example in the dimensioning of components and the selection of the right location for storage and power-to-gas systems. In the precise budget and cost analyses, we are committed to ensuring that you benefit from the lowest possible costs and the highest possible grid compatibility in your individual hydrogen mobility concept.

Let's consider hydrogen refuelling stations as part of the infrastructure for hydrogen mobility: HydroHub supports you with engineering services for the technical design. In addition to appropriate dimensioning of the refuelling station, this also requires placement at the correct location. Among other things, roadmaps are created to determine the location.

In some cases, companies require an extensive network of petrol stations. The HydroHub draws up this network when engineering for hydrogen mobility and then takes over the permanent monitoring: the function and cost efficiency of all filling stations is continuously analysed and constantly optimised.

As the rudimentary example of hydrogen filling stations undoubtedly shows, the realisation of hydrogen mobility for fleets, companies and other areas requires a holistic concept. A wide variety of systems, storage facilities, applications and other components are integrated into this concept.

With our engineering services for hydrogen mobility, you therefore benefit from a comprehensive service where you get everything from a single source. This is how hydrogen mobility is successfully implemented in your company: with the support of HydroHub and the integration of numerous components into a functioning concept!

HydroHub: Our services for more transparency in the preparation of expert reports for hydrogen mobility!

A core problem of hydrogen mobility - and of hydrogen technologies as a whole - is that the legal framework is often unclear. This problem can be ideally illustrated using the example of refuelling stations: On the one hand, there is currently a lack of standardised legal conditions for the construction of filling stations; on the other hand, the approval of filling stations is subject to several legal disciplines with different approval and permit procedures. As if these hurdles were not enough to keep companies busy, the official responsibility for the approval of petrol stations is also defined differently in the individual federal states.

HydroHub is familiar with all the legal hurdles and the appropriate solutions! With us as a strong and competent partner at your side, you no longer have to fight your way through the often opaque bureaucracy, but instead gain security in overcoming legal hurdles relating to hydrogen mobility and can have a large part of the work taken off your hands by our team of experts.

At HydroHub, you also benefit from the preparation of expert reports for hydrogen mobility - for those areas for which there are legally recognised expert reports, you can also obtain them from us. We clarify all other aspects in an individual consultation. You can contact us at any time and take advantage of our advice on hydrogen mobility and beyond.