Investing in the future:
Hydrogen CHP on the rise

September 24, 2024

A funding project is researching the integration of hydrogen in combined heat and power plants (CHP) for a climate-friendly energy supply

The project partners A-TRON, the Institute for Technical Combustion (ITV) and the Institute for Product Development and Equipment Construction (IPeG) of Leibniz University Hannover have joined forces to investigate how hydrogen can be effectively used as a fuel in combined heat and power plants (CHP) as part of the innovative research project “Adaptation of a CHP plant using additively manufactured components for future hydrogen operation”. The main goal of this project is to address the technological and economic challenges associated with the integration of hydrogen as a green fuel into existing and new CHP systems.

The research focuses not only on proving the basic feasibility, but also on developing innovative solutions that will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts in the long term. This includes the development and testing of additively manufactured components that are specifically optimized for use in hydrogen CHPs. Additive manufacturing processes, often referred to as 3D printing, offer the advantage of realizing complex component geometries that cannot be implemented using traditional manufacturing processes or can only be implemented with considerable effort.

In addition to the technical developments, the project places a strong focus on the analysis of safety aspects that are crucial when handling hydrogen. Safety concepts are being developed and tested to ensure that the hydrogen CHPs can be operated not only efficiently but also safely.

The collaboration between A-TRON and the academic institutes enables an interdisciplinary approach that integrates both technical and ecological perspectives. The results of this research are intended to help create a basis for the broader application of hydrogen as an alternative energy source in the energy industry.

This project is an example of A-TRON and its partners’ commitment to a sustainable energy future and underlines the importance of innovation and cooperation in the development of environmentally friendly technologies. It offers exciting insights into the future of energy production and use that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable.