Hydrogen from Soest: City is committed to a green energy future!

Hydrogen from Soest: City is committed to a green energy future!

In Soest there is fresh news about an innovative hydrogen production plant at Potsdamer Platz 2. This plant, which supplies offices, a café and doctors' practices with 90 percent of its energy, is a prime example of modern energy use. It is operated by Benjamin Bußmann and Philipp Copytz, the heads of the provincial agency, who started their important mission to advance the energy transition at the end of last summer. In the basement of the building there is an electrolyzer that allows water to be split into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. The hydrogen produced is stored in pressure bottles in the backyard and is used to generate electricity and heat in a fuel cell, leaving pure water as an environmentally friendly residual product. Heat is generated via ventilation pipes and, if necessary, supported by an air heat pump.

But this technology does not come without a price: the investment in hydrogen technology was an impressive 120,000 euros. A financial incentive supported by a funding program from the city of Soest. Every year, 25,000 euros flow into the project, and there is also a competition for owners of unconventional photovoltaic systems, in which the main winner can win up to 10,000 euros. Approval for the photovoltaic system was granted after extensive negotiations with the monument protection authority, which paved the way for this promising energy source.

In the circle of innovations

Hydrogen production has enormous potential that goes far beyond supporting office buildings. Thanks to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, hydrogen can contribute to grid stability as a flexible energy storage device. Such as in the evaluation of Energy Renewable reports, hydrogen is urgently needed in various sectors to advance decarbonization and create green jobs. Electrolysis in particular has established itself as a key technology. It uses excess energy from renewable sources to produce hydrogen, thereby improving the energy storage capabilities of existing infrastructure.

However, this technology is not without challenges: high operating costs and the need for significant infrastructure investments can slow progress. Different electrolysis technologies show different efficiencies, and regulatory frameworks can lead to acceptance problems. Future development aims to overcome these hurdles through innovative solutions such as PEM (proton exchange membrane) and SOEC (solid oxide electrolytic cells).

A look into the future

The company on Potsdamer Platz could do pioneering work: Other entrepreneurs' interest in hydrogen production in the area is growing, and the city of Soest also seems determined to give emphasis to the energy transition. The payback of the investment made is estimated to be around 15 years. With its commitment to sustainable energy and continued advances in hydrogen technology, Soest could play a key role in Germany's energy transition in the coming years, opening up new opportunities for the entire region.

It remains exciting to see how these developments continue to unfold. The combination of funding programs, innovative approaches and a clear vision for the future shows that the energy transition is in full swing not only here, but throughout Germany.