The use of hydrogen is seen as a key solution for the energy transition. With its help, transport and industry should become more environmentally friendly. However, in addition to the issues of production and use, the question of hydrogen storage and transport must also be answered. Both are elementary components of a hydrogen infrastructure, as the energy carrier must be transported safely and efficiently to the user.

The Dresden-based start-up AMBARtec AG offers a possible solution. Based on its innovative hydrogen compact storage technology (HyCS), the company aims to ensure that hydrogen can be transported economically and over long distances in the future. Hydrogen and its energy are stored and transported with the help of iron oxide nuggets. In the joint R&D project "HyCS storage power plant", the next milestones are to be reached before the storage technology is ready for series production. Together with the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, AMBARtec AG wants to set up the entire process in a pilot plant.

Economics Minister Dirk Panter: "The technology has a lot of potential and can help to promote the use of renewable energies all over the world. With the technology funding programmes, we are offering an important range of funding, especially in economically challenging times, to get ambitious and technology-driven innovation projects off the ground and to intensify cooperation between industry and science. Research and development are the driving force behind growth and productivity and ensure that Saxon companies remain internationally competitive in the long term thanks to innovative product and process solutions."

Prof. Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, Rector of TU Bergakademie Freiberg: "Our research at TU Bergakademie Freiberg has a very concrete practical relevance. We develop technologies for a future-proof, sustainable economy. Such cooperation between research and industrial partners is also being promoted by the Saxon hydrogen strategy in order to effectively develop the hydrogen economy. The collaboration between TU Bergakademie Freiberg and AMBARtec AG is therefore an important step on the way to realisable and economical storage and transport of hydrogen, which is playing an increasingly important role in the energy supply."

Prof. Martin Gräbner from the Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering: "For us, hydrogen storage using high-temperature processes is an ideal complement to our classic thermochemical processes for gas production. In addition to the scientific monitoring of the pilot operation, the main focus is on modelling the processes involved. We are delighted to be able to make a contribution to this pioneering technology as part of this project, which fits in very well with our strategy of "Electrification of carbon cycle and hydrogen technologies" at the Chair."

Uwe Pahl, CEO of AMBARtec AG: With our iron nuggets, hydrogen and its energy can be stored safely and efficiently and transported in standard containers by lorry, train or ship to any location. This is particularly interesting for the numerous companies that require green hydrogen for their renewable energy supply but are not connected to the hydrogen core network, or will not be connected in the near future. As part of the joint project, we will scale up our tried-and-tested technology for industrial use and build the first hydrogen storage power plant in Europe."

Background: Saxony's hydrogen strategy

Hydrogen as an energy source has great potential to replace fossil fuels in almost all areas of application. In order to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, which are already being felt today and are predicted to worsen dramatically, it is necessary to move away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible.

Hydrogen can play a key role in this. In addition, the war in Ukraine and the European energy crisis caused by Russia have made renewable energies and hydrogen even more important for building a well-diversified, resilient and sustainable energy market in the future. Against this backdrop, Saxony has presented its hydrogen strategy

2022. Since then, Saxon companies and research institutions have been working successfully on the industrialisation of the entire hydrogen value chain.