From components to self-sufficient energy solutions
Hall 13 at the 2025 Hannover Messe: A showcase for hydrogen-based future technologies, where leading industry players once again presented their ideas and solutions this year. The Fraunhofer IWU was there with the Referenzfabrik.H2 as value-added community for hydrogen systems.
An opportunity to launch new projects with partners, to solidify collaborations, or to polish up hydrogen’s image. Many curious people who wanted to learn about the current state of hydrogen use stopped by our booth looking for answers to their questions. Comments like “But the efficiency is only 50%,” or “Hydrogen is dangerous to use,” were not uncommon. Reaching the lower explosive limit of 4% for hydrogen sounds simple—until you consider that hydrogen diffuses through nearly all materials. It’s like trying to nail pudding to a wall: barely there, and already gone.
Making hydrogen economically viable – that was also the consensus at the Hannover Messe. And this begins with the cost-effective production of electrolysers and fuel cells, as well as their individual components. This requires, among other things, more efficient production technologies, which the Fraunhofer IWU is further developing in collaboration with various industry partners. For example, roll forming is used as a high-throughput process to shape bipolar plates. By utilizing more efficient technologies, the Referenzfabrik.H2 has succeeded in reducing production costs for the HyVentus electrolyzer stack by 50% compared to conventional production technologies.
From components to self-sufficient energy solutions
Here, visitors were able to see firsthand how sustainable energy supply works on a small scale today: Our microgrid – a shipping container equipped with state-of-the-art technology – drew a lot of interested attention.
In the container, we demonstrated a self-sufficient energy system that efficiently stores and harnesses renewable energy. An electrolyzer converts excess electricity, e.g., from photovoltaics, into hydrogen. This hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks and converted back into electricity in a fuel cell as needed. In this way, energy that would otherwise be wasted is conserved and made flexibly available – a true building block for the energy transition!
The overwhelmingly positive feedback and engaging conversations we had on-site show us that the combination of innovative technology and practical applications is truly inspiring. We would like to thank all our visitors for their keen interest and positive response!