
Green Hydrogen for industrial applications in Thuringia
Thuringian research project on the development of methods for the production and use of green hydrogen in Thuringia.

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
GREAT H2
The goal of GREAT H2 is the development of demonstration projects to exemplify and illustrate the use of green-generated hydrogen in Thuringia’s industry. The project addresses all relevant parts in the chain from its generation in RE plants to its utilization in production processes in industry. The main focus is on high-temperature applications such as smelting, sintering and firing processes, as the use in such processes is regarded as favorable compared to its use for the generation of electricity.
Core elements are on the one hand the methodical identification of new direct utilization concepts for RE plants for the production of H2 and the associated extended business models. On the other hand, economically attractive as well as technically suitable forms of use in industrial applications are identified, analyzed and prepared for realization on site. The gathered experience is used for the creation of demonstration projects. Special attention is paid to the three key elements:
- Cost-effectiveness compared to other CO2-neutral technologies or conventional energy sources,
- Potential of CO2 reduction compared to the current status quo, and
- Demonstration effect of the developed demonstration projects.
The project focuses on the networking of all relevant actors and the creation of future-oriented demonstration projects.
PROJECT CONDITIONS
Duration: 08.11.2021 – 31.12.2023
Funding: 400 T€



The overall objective is to identify transferable industrial measures for CO2 reduction in industry and to strengthen Thuringia as a business location in contact with the transformation of the energy system.
The project partners ThEEN and HySON are working on the following work packages

WP I – Green hydrogen generation
Investigations into the use of renewable energy sources with a focus on the current and future expansion status of RE plants in Thuringia.
Target:
Utilization concepts and process guidelines of RE plants for the production of green hydrogen.
Focus on:
Photovoltaics, wind power and biomass plants.
Work plan:
- Identification of RE plant operators and key players.
- Determination of relevant technical and economic parameters for utilization and business models
- Concept development of demonstration projects from a generation perspective
- Creation of a methodology for identification and evaluation

WP II – Application for the use of green hydrogen
Identification, systematic indexing and criteria development for demonstration of H2 applications and accompanying research on innovation/investment readiness.
Target:
Possible applications of hydrogen in energy-intensive processes from various points of view.
Focus on:
Melting, sintering and firing processes
Work plan:
- Identification of relevant parameters for hydrogen use
- Acquisition of potential companies for participation
- Development of alternative furnace concepts
- Concept development of demonstration projects from hydrogen application point of view

WP III – Demonstration projects
Investigations to demonstrate the production and use of green-generated H2 to illustrate its technical and economic suitability in Thuringia.
Target:
Development and preparation of demonstration projects
Focus on:
Conceptual design and evaluation of projects
Work plan:
- Identification of RE plant operators and key stakeholders
- Concept development for different sites
- Identification of relevant economic and technical parameters for the demonstration projects
- Identification of potentials in Thuringia

WP IV – Project coordination + scientific outreach activities in specialized industries and clusters
Coordination of content with ongoing hydrogen activities in Thuringia, in other federal states and on an international level to create a systematic and integrative approach for further development.
- Enquiry of German and European-wide H2 funding programs:
Promotion of demonstration projects - Networking with hydrogen activities in Thuringia / nationwide:
- R&D/demonstration projects, stakeholders, state activities
- Exchange of expertise and focus
- Communication and technical events
- Provision of information and dialog with companies
- Public appearance through flyers and website
Your participation !
GREAT H2 offers cooperation to renewable energy operators and industrial companies for the development of projects with the production and use of green hydrogen.
If you are interested, please contact us!

Added value for RE plant operators
Identification and evaluation of suitable generation concepts and distribution models (economic and regulatory framework)
Determination of potential local sales markets for green hydrogen and green electricity
Identification of suitable consumers of green hydrogen and integration into a joint utilization concept
Free participation in the identification and evaluation phase through state funding as well as identification of funding opportunities for an implementation phase
Development of utilization models for
- Post-EEG plants
- local hydrogen market
- second pillar: hydrogen
Integration into solutions for the reduction of
- CO2-emissions
- Energy costs and risks
Development of marketing effects through external impact
Added value for industrial companies
Identification and evaluation of suitable applications for hydrogen in your company (process analysis and technical as well as economic evaluation of available technologies)
Identification and development of concrete utilization concepts
Identification of suitable producers of green hydrogen and integration into your utilization concept
Free participation in the identification and evaluation phase through state funding as well as identification of funding opportunities for an implementation phase
Concrete solutions for the reduction of
- CO2-emissions
- Energy costs
- Risks due to energy costs
Designation of sustainable production through
- Ecological provision of heat
- CO2– reduction in production processes
Development of marketing effects through external impact
Development of marketing effects through external impact
PROJECT PARTNER
Thüringer Erneuerbare Energien Netzwerk (ThEEN) e.V.
The Thüringer Erneuerbare Energien Netzwerk (ThEEN) e.V. is the competence network for renewable energies, energy storage, energy efficiency and sector coupling. ThEEN has about 80 members from industry, science and public institutions and represents more than 300 companies through its member associations. ThEEN leads an innovation cluster in the Free State. The ThEEN has the overall coordination of the project and works on the method development for the identification of
(a) new direct use concepts for RE plants for the production of H2,
(b) economically attractive as well as technically suitable use in industrial applications.
Likewise, technical communication and public relations are carried out via ThEEN.
PROJECT PARTNER
HySON – Institut für Angewandte Wasserstoffforschung Sonneberg gGmbH
Founded in February 2021, the first hydrogen institute in Thuringia pursues the goal of further developing hydrogen technologies, systems and infrastructures. Practical application is to be strengthened through active transfer and acceptance is to be increased through public relations work.
Within the GREAT H2 Project, the HySON Institute takes over the coordination in the field of hydrogen applications. In particular, melting, sintering and firing processes, which are often operated with fossil fuels, are to be examined. HySON considers the technical feasibility, the economic efficiency and the environmental impact of hydrogen use. This holistic approach enables the greatest possible minimization of greenhouse gas emissions with simultaneous economic efficiency. In the course of this, the HySON Institute includes potential generation sites, which are determined by ThEEN, in the evaluation of a feasibility.
Cooperation of ThEEN and HySON
Based on these criteria, ThEEN and HySON get in contact with potential users. The exchange with the industry enables the identification of still open questions or obstacles. These points are included in further considerations and the users are thus actively involved.
By combining generation and application, demonstration projects are identified and planned. These projects should reflect the complete value chain of a hydrogen economy, which, in addition to production and consumption, also includes logistics and the activities of service providers such as plant manufacturers.
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Project funding

The project which these results are based on was funded by the Free State of Thuringia and the Thuringian Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Nature Conservation.