(Wels, 10/08/2021) Austrian energy solution expert Fronius is once again reaffirming its role as a pioneer in the supply of renewable energy, as part of a two-week trial for a hydrogen-powered bus which began today in Wels (Upper Austria). During this flagship project that is unique across Europe, the bus will be fuelled by the Fronius Solhub using green hydrogen generated locally from solar energy.
The “Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen” trial was launched in the presence of numerous political and business representatives. During this trial, the hydrogen-powered bus will be used as public transport for two weeks in the city of Wels. At the Fronius site for research and development in Thalheim at Wels, it will be fuelled daily with approximately 13 kg of hydrogen produced from solar energy. Fuelling takes around 15 minutes, with the bus travelling at least 160 km1 irrespective of the usage conditions. “The best part is that heat and water vapour are the only products of the chemical reaction in the fuel cell, which acts as a miniature power plant. Fuelling with hydrogen is quick, convenient and barely any different to fuelling a diesel vehicle,” enthuses Anna Mejer, General Manager at Solaris Bus.
“We are excited to be part of this unique project. With the Solhub we are offering a complete turnkey solution that enables local, green hydrogen to be generated and used for the fuelling of fuel cell vehicles. This also means we have taken another step towards our vision of 24 hours of sun. The Solhub offers enormous potential for companies and municipalities, both of which play a key role in shaping and implementing the energy supply of tomorrow,” explains Martin Hackl, Global Director of the Business Unit Solar Energy at Fronius International GmbH.
For Fronius, the focus during the test run is on creating awareness of the need for locally generated green hydrogen and proving its practicality. “In doing so, we are demonstrating that the technology works and is already suitable for everyday use,” says Thomas Rührlinger, Business Development Hydrogen Solutions at Fronius International GmbH.
Fronius Solhub as the solution for a climate-neutral future
Green, i.e. renewable energy is a key factor in decarbonisation and reaching climate goals. “The greatest challenge here is the availability of green hydrogen. Fronius Solhub solves this problem by generating green hydrogen from solar energy directly on site,”explains Martin Hackl. This eliminates the need for long, environmentally hazardous transport and import routes and at the same time guarantees CO2-free generation of hydrogen. In future, businesses such as the SAN Group will be producing up to 100 kg of green hydrogen per day directly on the company premises.
With the Solhub, Fronius is offering a modular range of solutions for energy sector integration and the storage of renewable energy. Sustainable and locally produced hydrogen has huge potential to become an important foundation in the energy revolution, allowing for domestic added value and regional business models. “We anticipate numerous additional implementations in the coming years for customers from commercial enterprises and manufacturing companies, municipalities and public-transport operators, logistics and tourism sectors, operators of special vehicles and renewable energy communities,” reveals Rührlinger.
Strong cooperation
Strong cooperation between mobility service providers and commercial enterprises has created the optimal conditions for implementing the first 100% sustainable hydrogen mobility project. In addition to Fronius, project partners include Wels-Linien, Sabtours, State of Upper Austria and Solaris Bus.
1Thanks to the technology used, the bus is able to achieve a daily range of at least 350 km with one tank of fuel.
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