The Stadtwerke Bielefeld Group is setting another milestone on the road to sustainable mobility: as part of a relatively large project, 29 innovative dual-fuel buses – equipped with hydrogen fuel cells and battery-electric drives – will be refuelled with locally produced hydrogen in future. IMI will supply this 1-megawatt electrolyser.
Credit: IMI
The IMI VIVO electrolyser will be installed at the Bielefeld Innovation Park, where a new bus depot with a solar system on the roof is already in operation. Local hydrogen production completely eliminates transport emissions. The buses can be flexibly powered either by electricity from the solar system or by hydrogen, which is also produced locally from renewable energy.
The agreement comes at an important time: a recent IMI report (‘The Road Ahead’) shows that bus operators face major challenges in decarbonisation – particularly in terms of grid reliability and the limitations of battery technology on long distances and inclines. According to the study, 77% of German operators are already investing in hydrogen vehicles or plan to do so in the next two years. However, only 27% have a permanent hydrogen infrastructure in place.
Dr Cornelia Neumann, Business Development Manager for IMI VIVO electrolysers, emphasises: "Mobility is one of the most promising sectors for the use of hydrogen for decarbonisation. The commitment of the Stadtwerke Bielefeld Group to local hydrogen production from renewable energies is a pioneering model for other municipalities and operators struggling with grid capacity limits.”
Download a copy of the IMI white paper ’Road Ahead" here.