The hyBit project consortium of national and international hydrogen experts is meeting for the first time in Bremen, as the coronavirus pandemic has prevented such an exchange to date. The BMBF-funded large-scale hydrogen research project focuses on the establishment of hydrogen centers in northern Germany, known as hydrogen hubs. These hubs combine the generation, processing, delivery, storage, and final consumption of hydrogen. The focus of the project is the development of the hydrogen hub in Bremen’s industrial port. The Bremen steelworks, which currently accounts for more than 50 percent of local CO2 emissions, plays a special role in this regard. The switch to clean hydrogen is thus a major contribution to achieving the climate targets of the state of Bremen.
“hyBit will make an important contribution to the development of hydrogen hubs. The project is attracting widespread interest. Numerous key players from science, industry, and politics have come forward for the ‘starting signal’,” says Dr. Torben Stührmann, the project’s overall coordinator. “At the ceremony in Haus der Wissenschaft to mark the start of the project on November 15, we are expecting Bremen Mayor Dr. Andreas Bovenschulte, Senator for Science and Ports Dr. Claudia Schilling, Professor Michal Kucera – Vice President for Research and Transfer at the University of Bremen – as well as representatives from the energy industry.”
More Than 100 Researchers Visit the Steelworks
The special thing about this kickoff is that more than 100 academics will be visiting the Bremen steelworks together, a location set to be at the heart of scientific debate in the coming years. This is intended to underline the great practical relevance of the project.
“The University of Bremen is delighted that it is finally getting underway for its researchers in this important future project,” says Professor Jutta Günther, the President of the University of Bremen. “This scientific project is a beacon on our journey towards sustainability and climate neutrality. And it’s incredibly important for the energy supply of the future – not just for Bremen, but for the whole of Germany.” The university can leverage a wealth of expertise in interdisciplinary research into hydrogen strategies and benefit from the long-standing cooperation of nonuniversity partners.
Dr. Claudia Schilling, Senator for Science and Ports, says: “One of the five fields of action of the state of Bremen’s hydrogen strategy is the research and research infrastructure, which is central to my ministry. As the hydrogen economy is still in its infancy, research and technological development are a prerequisite for further expansion. The structural shift towards a hydrogen economy will succeed if the transformation process is scientifically monitored, analyzed, and reflected on. The Bremen Research Center for Energy Systems (BEST) at the University of Bremen and its nonuniversity research partners form the backbone of energy research in the state of Bremen.”
Kickoff Symposium on the University Campus
Before the official opening ceremony at Haus der Wissenschaft on November 17, all participants will get together on November 15 to 17 for a kickoff symposium at the BIBA – Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbH on the university campus. Here, the 19 project partners will get to know each other, discuss coordination issues, but also visit the Bremen steelworks, the central aspect of the hyBit project.
A press release on the occasion of the approval of almost 30 million euros of funding by the BMBF with further background information on the hyBit project can be found here: hyBit: New Large-Scale Hydrogen Research Project Launched in Bremen - Universität Bremen (uni-bremen.de)
A background article on hydrogen research at the University of Bremen can also be found here: Developing Energy Sources of the Future [Research] / up2date – Das Onlinemagazin der Universität Bremen – University of Bremen Online Magazine (uni-bremen.de)
Further Information:
www.uni-bremen.de/best
www.uni-bremen.de
Contact:
Dr. Torben Stührmann
Overall coordinator
University of Bremen
Department of Production Engineering – Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering / Department of Resilient Energy Systems
artec | Sustainability Research Center
Phone: +49 421 218-64896
Email: t.stuehrmannprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
