Turning waste into green hydrogen energy

As part of the HyExperts project MH2Regio, our team developed a strategy for a regional hydrogen infrastructure in Frankfurt am Main. The German government supported the project with funds from the HyLand funding program.

The focus was on the Nordweststadt waste-to-energy plant. In their study, our experts determined a technically and economically optimal overall concept for a complete hydrogen infrastructure - from electrolysis to transport to the refuelling station. The hydrogen produced in the process is to be made available as a green fuel for local and long-distance public transport, heavy goods and freight transport, as well as for inland shipping. The aim of the project was also to develop standardized technical plant concepts for these user groups that can be transferred to other locations and for other purposes.

The Nordweststadt waste-to-energy plant, the focus of the Tractebel study. © Mainova AG

The results of the study can be summarised as follows:

1. Due to their special conditions, waste incineration plants have the potential to become nuclei for the development of regional hydrogen infrastructures.
2. The Tractebel study shows that a regional hydrogen infrastructure can also be maintained in an economically attractive way from an operator's perspective. Subsidies contribute to success just as much as the operators' own concepts.
3. Green hydrogen can be produced cost-effectively at waste incineration plants and, as a renewable fuel, contribute to the rapid decarbonization of mobility in cities.

Felix Knicker, Project Engineer at Tractebel, summarises that, “due to their special conditions, waste-to-energy plants have the potential to become nuclei for the development of regional hydrogen infrastructures: A large proportion of biogenic waste forms the basis for green electricity. Another factor is the convenient location. And last but not least, the company's own refuse collection vehicles are the first consumers of the clean fuel. According to our findings, green hydrogen can be produced cheaply at waste-to-energy plants and, as a renewable fuel, contribute to the rapid decarbonization of mobility in cities.”

Felix Knicker, Project Engineer (M.Sc.)

Discover our hydrogen-powered garbage trucks project in the Netherlands.

Find out about our Hydrogen Solutions.