NOW GmbH (National Organization Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology) has commissioned a groundbreaking study to investigate the “Development paths for the hydrogen infrastructure of the future”. A consortium consisting of LBST, LifteH2, Spilett n/t, ZBT and ZSW was entrusted with this task. In close cooperation with the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), important data was collected and scenarios were developed and classified.

The study, which also forms the basis for the“Filling station of the future” website, aims to clarify which forms of energy should be provided for various driving applications at future filling stations. Although the focus is on the hydrogen infrastructure, aspects of battery-electric mobility such as ramp-up scenarios, technological maturity levels and energy requirements are also considered.

The infrastructure requirements for electromobility, whether battery or hydrogen, are diverse and require holistic concepts. This applies in particular to heavy goods transport, where truck manufacturers take both technologies into account, which in turn has an impact on the infrastructure.

High connected loads are required for the battery charging infrastructure and a large amount of space is needed due to the longer charging times. The hydrogen infrastructure, on the other hand, must take into account different aggregate states: highly compressed hydrogen (CGH2), liquid hydrogen (LH2) and cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2). It is not yet clear which of these tank technologies will prevail in the long term, either in general or for specific fields of application.

The“Filling station of the future” website not only serves as a source of information, but is also intended to promote cooperation, particularly with the supplier industry. It provides an overview of the current status and future technological requirements for both hydrogen and battery infrastructure.