Reußenköge–North Frisian pioneers: Green hydrogen production by the largest German hydrogen mobility project eFarm, initiated by GP JOULE, Reußenköge, goes into operation.
In keeping with this important event for the energy turnaround, none other than Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, inaugurated the groundbreaking showcase project. The ribbon was cut by Jan Philipp Albrecht, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister for Energy Turnaround, Agriculture, Environment, Nature and Digitalisation, and the two founders of the GP JOULE Group, Ove Petersen (CEO) and Heinrich Gärtner (CTO).
Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer: “Here you can see how our hydrogen strategy put into practice perfectly – from green, wind-powered electricity generation to the development of comprehensive infrastructure. With the aim of achieving cleaner, climate-friendly mobility.” Astrid Damerow, MdB, Florian Lorenzen, District Administrator of the North Frisia District, the former District President Heinz Maurus and the representatives of the 19 eFarm shareholders were also enthusiastic about the innovative concept which has now been implemented. “We are now finally combining the generation of wind and solar power with regional energy consumption. This creates added value and jobs and also promotes acceptance of the energy turnaround,” says Ove Petersen, underlining the enormous potential for the future.
Laying the groundwork for the future
“The inauguration of hydrogen production in Bosbüll is a milestone for the energy turnaround. Hydrogen brings renewable energy to sectors that have so far contributed very little to CO2 savings,” says Ove Petersen. GP JOULE placed its bets on hydrogen already more than 10 years ago and has invested heavily in developing the technology and business models over the last few years. For the two founders, Gärtner and Petersen, hydrogen is the optimal link that smartly combines the generation of wind and solar power with the mobility, heating and industrial sectors, and this is exactly what is reflected in the eFarm project. GP JOULE, as an experienced project planner, builder and operator of numerous energy projects in Germany and abroad, has had its own green hydrogen production on the company’s own premises since 2018.
“Hydrogen technology is available in Germany and our research is very far advanced. However, it is important that we position ourselves as the leading manufacturer country in Europe and the world, especially in the field of mobility”, says Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer, whose ministry supported the hydrogen mobility project with 8 million euros.
Added value in all sectors
Using the eFarm project as an example, the value chain begins with the decentralized generation of green electricity from older solar and wind power plants. This is then converted into green hydrogen directly on site in electrolysers. The waste heat generated during hydrogen production is used to heat commercial and private buildings. In this way electrolysis achieves an efficiency of over 95 percent. The hydrogen will be available as CO2-free fuel for the mobility sector at two hydrogen filling stations currently being built in Niebüll and Husum. In conjunction with the project, two hydrogen buses will also be purchased as hydrogen consumers to solve the “chicken and egg problem” at the same time. These buses will be rented out to the public transport operator from September onwards, which has been strongly advocated and promoted by the district of North Frisia from the very beginning. In addition, there are well over 100 private and commercial interested parties who have declared their willingness to purchase a fuel cell vehicle in the coming months and years.
“Germany, and Schleswig-Holstein in particular, must now seize the opportunity to establish and further develop the value-added chain of hydrogen production and technology development here in the state. If these potentials are now only exploited by foreign players, we will be the losers of the energy turnaround, because hydrogen will be crucial to its success”, says Ove Petersen. This day signifies is a big step for him and his team, both for the company and for the region, demonstrating the feasibility of a sustainable energy industry in the future.
About GP JOULE
Founded in 2009 based on the belief that a 100% renewable energy supply is feasible, GP JOULE is now a system provider for integrated energy solutions from solar, wind and biomass power as well as being a partner at the supply level for electricity, heat, hydrogen and electromobility. A pioneer in the area of sectoral cross-linkage, the medium-sized company group has a workforce of over 250 employees at sites in Germany, Europe and North America. GP JOULE holds the 2019 Schleswig-Holstein Business Environmental Award.
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