In the HygO project, partners from industry and research are advancing decentralised hydrogen microgrids as a self-sufficient energy supply solution and testing them under real conditions. The aim is to convert renewable electricity — for example from photovoltaics — into hydrogen via an electrolyser, store it, and convert it back into electrical energy through a fuel cell when needed.
This creates a reliable, low-carbon to carbon-neutral power supply even where grid infrastructure is missing or unstable. A distinctive feature of HygO is the coupling of energy generation and water treatment: alongside power provision, a treatment stage is integrated that uses the oxygen produced as a by-product of electrolysis together with filtration technologies to bring water to a better quality.
In this way, HygO addresses questions of energy and resources at the same time. The solution is being validated in on-site tests in Namibia — among other things, the installation of a microgrid and water treatment at a school was prepared.
The project is funded under the Export Initiative Environmental Protection (Exportinitiative Umweltschutz) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. HygO is coordinated by Fraunhofer IWU together with its partners Texulting, Krenkel Abwassertechnik and Haver & Boecker.
Objectives
- Develop and field-test mobile, hydrogen-powered microgrids under real conditions
- Provide a self-sufficient, secure and grid-independent energy supply
- Integrate water treatment that uses the oxygen from electrolysis to produce clean drinking water
- Build collaborative value chains between Namibia and Germany
