The HydroNet project has been launched in Sauerland. Over the next five years, a regional hydrogen economy will be developed in the Arnsberg region. The project's focus is on decarbonizing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and certifying green hydrogen.
The initiative covers the entire value chain—from production to utilization. According to Robert Habeck, systemic demonstration projects like HydroNet are essential for scaling up the hydrogen market.
The large-scale project in Sauerland is set to run until the end of 2029. During this time, new products, solutions, and insights will be developed for the planning, construction, and operation of an energy-optimized hydrogen economy. The goal is to largely replace fossil fuels in the Arnsberg region. The partners aim to invest a total of around 75 million euros, with the consortium leader Westnetz alone contributing 29 million euros.
The HydroNet project will follow an integrative and interdisciplinary approach across various value chains and sectors. Regional actors from across the hydrogen value chain in Sauerland are involved in the project, from local hydrogen production and distribution infrastructure to industrial transformation and utilization.
Focus on Industry and SMEs
The project primarily targets companies in metal production and processing, automotive supply, paper manufacturing, mobility, and wastewater treatment. According to Andreas Breuer, Head of Hydrogen at Westnetz and Project Leader for HydroNet, the project could serve as a blueprint for other regions in Germany.
The HydroNet consortium consists of 12 joint partners under the leadership of Westnetz. Additionally, there are nine associated partners and a project forum involving companies and a political advisory board.
According to the project consortium, HydroNet follows a three-phase approach to industrial transformation. This includes 3D combustion chamber simulation, combustion tests at GWI GmbH, and ultimately, the on-site industrial production shift.
Green Hydrogen: Digital Verification Planned
The project will also develop methods for certifying and tracing the origin of green hydrogen. Research focuses include the use of experimental stacks for electrolyzers, the conversion of industrial gas burners to pure hydrogen, and the associated measurement, control, and regulation technology.
HydroNet aims to implement a digital verification system for green hydrogen. This will allow for an assessment of the impacts of a scaled regional hydrogen infrastructure on a larger scale.
A connection to Germany's hydrogen core network, extending to the international ARA ports, is already being considered. The project is based on a 2014 idea that identified a decommissioned 11-kilometer natural gas pipeline in Arnsberg as a potential nucleus for the initiative.
