In the HygO project, partners from industry and research are working to further develop decentralized hydrogen microgrids as a self-sufficient energy supply solution and to test them under real-world conditions. The goal is to convert renewable electricity (e.g., from photovoltaics) into hydrogen using an electrolyzer, store it, and, when needed, convert it back into electrical energy via a fuel cell—to provide a reliable, low-carbon to carbon-neutral power supply even in areas where grid infrastructure is lacking or unstable.
A key feature of HygO is the integration of energy generation and water treatment: In addition to providing electricity, the system incorporates a treatment process that uses oxygen – a byproduct of electrolysis – along with filtration technologies to improve water quality. In this way, HygO addresses both energy and resource issues and aims to validate the solution through on-site tests in Namibia (among other things, preparations have been made to install a microgrid and water treatment system at a school).
