IMI to supply electrolyzer for hydrogen bus refueling in Germany
IMI will supply a 1 MW electrolyzer for a hydrogen bus filling station in Bielefeld, Germany, supporting the Stadtwerke Bielefeld Group’s plans to expand sustainable public transport.
The Stadtwerke Bielefeld Group is advancing its sustainable mobility strategy through a project that will see 29 dual-fuel buses refueled with locally produced hydrogen. The buses combine hydrogen fuel cells with battery-electric drives and will be supplied by a 1 MW electrolyzer provided by IMI.
The electrolyzer is an IMI VIVO unit that will be installed at the Bielefeld Innovation Park. The site already hosts a new bus depot equipped with a rooftop solar system, enabling the local production of renewable hydrogen. According to the companies, producing hydrogen on site eliminates transport-related emissions associated with hydrogen delivery.
The bus fleet is designed for flexible operation, allowing vehicles to be powered either directly by electricity generated from the solar installation or by hydrogen produced locally using renewable energy. The approach is intended to address operational challenges faced by public transport operators while supporting emissions reduction targets.
IMI stated that the agreement aligns with findings from its recent report, ‘The Road Ahead,’ which highlights challenges in bus fleet decarbonization, particularly related to grid reliability and the limitations of battery-electric technology for long distances and routes with significant inclines. The report indicates that 77% of bus operators in Germany are either investing in hydrogen vehicles or plan to do so within the next two years, while only 27% currently have permanent hydrogen infrastructure in place.
“Mobility is one of the most promising sectors for the use of hydrogen for decarbonisation,” said Dr. Cornelia Neumann, Business Development Manager for IMI VIVO electrolyzers. “The commitment of the Stadtwerke Bielefeld Group to local hydrogen production from renewable energies is a pioneering model for other municipalities and operators struggling with grid capacity limits.”
Source: Hydrogentechworld