The Austrian energy solution expert Fronius is once again proving its pioneering role in renewable energy supply.
A two-week hydrogen bus test operation started in Wels (Upper Austria). As part of this showcase project, which is unique in Europe, the bus is refueled by the Fronius Solhub with locally generated green hydrogen from solar power.
In the presence of numerous representatives from politics and business, the test operation of the ‘Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen’ started.
The hydrogen-powered bus will be used for local public transport in the city of Wels for two weeks. At the Fronius research and development site in Thalheim near Wels, it is refueled with around 13 kg of hydrogen from solar power every day.
Refueling takes around 15 minutes, so the bus can travel at least 160 km1, depending on the operating conditions. “The best thing is that heat and water vapor are the only products of the chemical reaction in the fuel cell; they act as a kind of mini power plant. Refueling with hydrogen is short, convenient and hardly differs from refueling a diesel vehicle, ”says Anna Mejer, General Manager, Solaris Bus, enthusiastically.
“We are happy to be part of this unique project. With the Solhub, we offer a complete turnkey solution that makes it possible to produce green hydrogen locally and use it to refuel fuel cell vehicles. We have thus taken another step in the implementation of our vision of 24 hours of sun. The Solhub has enormous potential for both companies and municipalities. Both have a key function in the design and implementation of the energy supply of tomorrow, ”explains Martin Hackl, Global Director of the Solar Energy Business Unit, Fronius International GmbH.
Raising awareness of the need for locally generated, green hydrogen and demonstrating its practical suitability – that is what Fronius focuses on during the test run. “We are showing that the technology works and that it is already suitable for everyday use,” says Thomas Rührlinger, Business Development Hydrogen Solutions, Fronius International GmbH.
About Fronius Solar Energy
The Fronius Business Unit (BU) Solar Energy has been developing energy solutions for everything to do with photovoltaics since 1992 and sells its products through a global competence network of installation, service and sales partners. More than 24 Solar Energy branches, an export quota of over 93 percent and a total output of more than 21 gigawatts of installed inverters speak for themselves. The big goal is 24 hours of sun, and Fronius works every day to realize this vision of a future in which global energy needs are met from 100 percent renewables. Accordingly, Fronius develops energy solutions to generate, store, distribute and consume solar energy cost-efficiently and intelligently.
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