Arnstadt pilot facility constructs advanced hydrogen electrolyzers, delivering exceptional efficiency.
May 27, 2025
A groundbreaking pilot plant in Arnstadt is developing a new method for producing hydrogen, called high-temperature electrolysis. This innovative approach uses Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs), which operate at temperatures around 900 degrees Celsius. The high temperature allows these cells to integrate waste heat from industrial processes, reducing the electricity demand for hydrogen production.
The plant, a collaboration between the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies (IKTS) and Thyssenkrupp subsidiary Nucera, is expected to produce hydrogen with 20-30% less electricity than traditional methods, thanks to this energy-saving integration of waste heat. The technology's potential applications extend to industrially-demanding sectors such as steelworks, chemical plants, and refineries, which typically produce significant amounts of waste heat.
At the plant's unveiling in Arnstadt, Alexander Michaelis, director of Fraunhofer IKTS, emphasized that high-temperature electrolysis is the most efficient method for producing hydrogen. This green hydrogen stands to revolutionize energy-intensive sectors, reducing operational costs and contributing to decarbonization goals.
Thyssenkrupp Nucera is eager to expand production of this technology on a larger scale. In a statement, board member Werner Ponikwar called the pilot plant a "milestone" for the industry, further indicating enthusiasm for the project's massive potential.
Video: Green Hydrogen from Arnstadt Plant
Industries with high energy demands are eagerly awaiting cheap hydrogen, but it remains scarce. In Arnstadt, the Fraunhofer IKTS and Thyssenkrupp Nucera have now presented a pilot production plant. The video below showcases the plant's inauguration and further discusses green hydrogen's potential impact on the industry.
[Link to the video](MIDDLE GERMAN BROADCASTING)
Learn more about the production capacity, potential partnerships, and other innovations related to hydrogen in our extensive coverage:
- Energy Park Bad Lauchstädt: First hydrogen pipeline ready [Link]
- Green hydrogen from normal air [Link]
- Green hydrogen between wish and reality [Link]
- The high-temperature electrolysis method being developed in Arnstadt using Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) is a significant advancement in environmental-science, as it could potentially reduce the energy demands for hydrogen production and contribute to combating climate-change.
- As the pilot plant in Arnstadt demonstrates, the integration of waste heat from industrial processes into green hydrogen production through Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) technology could pose a promising solution for energy-intensive sectors like steelworks and chemical plants, thereby reduction their operational costs and aiding in the decarbonization process.
