BDR Thermea switches on hydrogen heating pilot in Germany
As of today, pure hydrogen is running through the natural gas pipelines in Holzwickede, Germany, heating three commercial properties. For the H2HoWI pilot – a first for the country – BDR Thermea has joined forces with regional grid operator Westnetz and utility company Westenergie, testing the technology and infrastructure needed for the energy transition.
Existing natural gas pipeline to carry 100% hydrogen
For the H2HoWI pilot, Westnetz converted part of the existing Holzwickede natural gas pipeline to carry 100% hydrogen. To this end, 500 metres of pipeline were disconnected from the gas grid and reconnected to a hydrogen storage facility. BDR Thermea installed its hydrogen-ready boilers in the buildings, to convert the hydrogen into heating.
Heinz Werner Schmidt, Managing Director BDR Germany says: “Pilot projects like this are important for trialling the large-scale application of hydrogen for domestic heating. By successfully adapting the gas grid to carry hydrogen, we’re showing that this carbon-free technology is no longer just a vision of the future.”
By successfully adapting the gas grid to carry hydrogen, we’re showing that this carbon-free technology is no longer just a vision of the future
Ambitious hydrogen strategy
Germany has an ambitious hydrogen strategy, backed by large-scale investments and trials to use green hydrogen in industry, transport and domestic heating. Adapting the existing gas grid for the use of hydrogen is an important precondition for the success of the energy transition.
"Today we’re moving 500 metres closer to climate neutrality," North Rhine-Westphalia Minister for Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur said at the official project opening.
Hydrogen street
Remeha’s 100% hydrogen boilers have been part of several pilot projects in the Netherlands, UK, France and Germany since 2019. Later this year, BDR Thermea will be running the first large scale application of the boilers in a real-life setting in Lochem, the Netherlands. Fifteen monumental homes will be heated with pure hydrogen via the existing gas grid.
