Wien Energie's first production plant for so-called green hydrogen (H2) was commissioned in Simmering. In it, water is broken down into its components, namely hydrogen and oxygen, by electrolysis. The latter is vented into the open, while hydrogen is filled at high pressure. It can be called green because the electricity used comes exclusively from renewable sources – ie solar, wind or hydroelectricity.
Vienna is the first federal state to engage in large-scale hydrogen production.
At first glance, the facility, located in close proximity to the massive Simmering power plant, is not particularly impressive. Containers, small buildings, pipes, cables and various technical fittings can be found. To the layman, the only indication of what is produced there is the nearest gas station. Here the newly produced hydrogen can be bought immediately.
For public transport and commercial vehicles
Only the size of the gas pipes makes it clear that the gas station is designed for heavy vehicles. It is serviced by buses, garbage trucks on MA 48, or some private logistics companies. They all need their own contracts and refueling appointments.
Hydrogen can be absorbed at 350 or 700 bar. The refueling process should take about ten minutes, so it's comparable to that at diesel pumps.
The output of the system is three megawatts. Up to 1,300 kilograms of H2 are produced each day. It can be used to fill up to 60 hydrogen buses or trucks. A second gas station is also served, namely Wien Energy in Floridsdorf. Simmering product is served there. Industrial partners can also purchase hydrogen filled in their own containers.
Zen costs millions of euros
Construction of the H2 plant will begin in 2022. Investment costs are estimated at around 10 million euros. Today's presentation, attended by City Councilor Peter Hanke (SPÖ) responsible for municipal utilities, took place immediately after the commissioning.
Wiener Linien is already a customer there and is already testing the use of the green H2. Next year they want to convert the first line entirely to hydrogen, the 39A. The H2 buses are used there by manufacturer Caetano, which was awarded the contract after a Europe-wide tender.
