Technology multinational Wilo is a manufacturer of pumps and pumping systems for building technology, water management and industry. The company officially commissioned its hydrogen plant at its headquarters in Dortmund. In recent months, the company developed the H2Powerplant together with French electronics company Schneider Electric. Wilo sees hydrogen as one of the key technologies to meet the Paris climate goals.
"Our society needs green energy in all areas. Whether in industry, transport or the heating sector," said Oliver Hermes, President and CEO of the Wilo Group at the plant opening ceremony. Oliver Hermes and Jean-Pascal Tricoire, President and CEO of Schneider Electric, subsequently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). With this, the two companies are strengthening their strategic cooperation. "With this plant, we are laying the foundation for a self-sufficient, decentralised and regenerative energy supply network. In addition, we show how industrial companies can make an essential contribution to climate protection and sustainability." continued Hermes.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen produced from green energy such as photovoltaics or wind power is CO2 neutral. Both storage and transport are possible. With this, it offers significant storage capacity for solar energy. Just one tonne can store up to 33,330 kWh of energy. That is equivalent to the annual consumption of 11 three-person households in a block of flats. The plant can store up to 520 kilograms of hydrogen in the 29.8-metre-long tank.
Climate neutral
This tank consists of four main components: the photovoltaic system on the roof of the Smart Factory, an electrolyser (supplied by Enapter), a hydrogen storage tank and a fuel cell (supplied by Proton Motor). The electrolyser separates the molecular compounds of water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O). Thus, the system should produce up to 10 tonnes of green hydrogen annually from fully renewable energy sources. The waste heat released from the electrolysis process can be used directly or converted into cooling. This leads to an improvement in overall system efficiency. In addition, it makes a greater contribution to efficient, crisis-proof and climate-neutral production at the Wilopark. The purpose of the plant is primarily to be used for emergency or back-up power supply. The current design even allows for a self-sufficient power supply of up to two days.
Major contribution to climate protection
The new strategic partnership between Wilo and Schneider Electric should smooth the transition to environmentally friendly hydrogen technology. The long-term goal is to become a global player in the production, storage, distribution and utilisation of climate-neutral hydrogen. Wilo laid the foundation for this last year by establishing its own hydrogen team. With its EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor and EcoStruxure Automation Expert solution, Schneider Electric offers the latest Electricity 4.0 digital technologies for a highly automated smart grid. The two cooperation partners are now looking at series production of green hydrogen systems for decentralised energy supply.
Transition accelerated by energy crisis
Not least, the ongoing energy crisis is accelerating the push for sustainable solutions. Wilo has been promoting the energy transition for decades. The company does this with efficient products and solutions. Thus, the technology multinational actively shapes change processes and solutions to global challenges.
Image: photo: Wilo
