The supervisory board has approved plans by Stadtwerke Stuttgart (SWS) for a 10 MW electrolysis plant at Stuttgart port. The company announced this on August 20. The project, called "Green Hydrogen Hub Stuttgart" (GH2S), envisions the installation of four electrolyzers that will enable an annual production of up to 1,000 tons of green hydrogen starting from 2026.
According to SWS, construction is scheduled to begin in early 2025, with hydrogen production set to commence at the end of 2026. It is emphasized that only surplus energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar will be used. The total capacity of the facilities is expected to reach up to 10 MW.
A logistics concept is planned for transporting the produced hydrogen, which will enable supply to industry, research institutions, and heavy-duty refueling stations. The hydrogen will be delivered to customers either via the planned H2 GeNeSiS pipeline or by trailer. Preparations of the construction site have already begun. SWS emphasizes the project's importance for Stuttgart as a business location, as the produced hydrogen is particularly suitable for use in fuel cells due to its high purity.
Significance for the Energy Transition
SWS describes the project as a crucial step towards a sustainable future for the state capital. It is based on the EU and state-funded hydrogen project H2 GeNeSiS, which SWS launched in June 2022 together with municipal partners and research institutes in the Neckar Valley. The Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg is also involved and plans to build an additional research electrolyzer on the site.
To ensure that the electrolyzers use only surplus green electricity, SWS plans to employ an AI-controlled digital twin of the plant. This is expected to have a positive impact on the load management of the power grid. Therefore, the hydrogen project at Stuttgart port is considered a significant contribution to the overall economic viability of the energy transition."
