The new partnership aims to make greater use of synergies between research and practice in order to jointly develop innovative technologies and solutions and thus contribute to the sustainable transformation of the region.
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This is how the Rhenish mining area produces hydrogen
Who has the largest electrolyser? The race is obviously on. And that’s a good thing.
Hydrogen is not champagne
Foto: Adobe/StockHydrogen has been many things in the public debate: blue, turquoise, green, white, expensive champagne, overrated hype or a Swiss army knife. Peter Wasserscheid, Professor of Chemical Reaction Engineering and spokesperson for the Helmholtz Hydrogen Cluster (HC-H2), establishes a different perspective in an interview: Even if green hydrogen is still comparatively expensive today, this does not contradict…
New ammonia reactor
An advanced reactor for the production of green ammonia is intended to help solve one of the major challenges of the energy transition.
Hydrogen future at Erkelenz hospital
demonstration project Multi-SOFC ErkelenzHydrogen supply at Erkelenz hospital launchedThe SOFC fuel cells at Hermann-Josef Hospital are up and running: (from left, front) Prof. Astrid Lambrecht, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich, Ministerial Director Oda Keppler from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and Tomasz Königs, the hospital’s Technical Director, symbolically cut the ribbon to…
World Day of Women and Girls in Science
UNESCO World Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February: two Jülich hydrogen researchers talk about their working lives.
The Last Neighbourhood Meeting in 2023
Brainergy Park continues to grow. This is clear to all visitors who occasionally drive through the innovative industrial park to the north of Jülich. New buildings are being erected, while diggers are constantly at work on new areas of land. The HC-H2 Brainergy Park Connect neighbourhood meeting in the park also continues to develop.
A Milling Machine for Greater Flexibility
Jülich hydrogen researchers recently acquired another important tool. For a few days now, a 5-axis CNC milling machine has been part of the stock of machinery at the Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW).
New Director at the Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy
Forschungszentrum Jülich’s Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW) continues to grow. On 1 December, Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Steinrück will be appointed director of Catalytic Interfaces for Chemical Hydrogen Storage (INW-1).
No Either-Or Situation in the Energy System of the Future
“We will see electricity and hydrogen in the environmentally friendly energy system of the future. It won’t be an either-or situation,” summarized Prof. Dr. Andreas Peschel, who was speaking to members of the Eschweiler town association of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.
“We Can Build Highly Complex Systems”
The network meetings are a series of events hosted by Hydrogen Hub Aachen. This is the joint hydrogen initiative of the City of Aachen, the districts of Aachen, Düren, Euskirchen, and Heinsberg, and the Aachen Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
The Modular Design Behind the Technical Centre
When a building contractor says that their company offers buildings in a modular design, this doesn’t necessarily sound like impressive architecture at first. However, Jan Weisel, managing director of VALERES Industriebau GmbH, now explains why this can indeed be the case, citing a specific example.
New Director at INW
Hydrogen research in Jülich is being bolstered by the arrival of a high-profile expert: Prof. Dr. Regina Palkovits is taking over as director at the Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW) at Forschungszentrum Jülich.
The Colours of Hydrogen, Part 2: Blue
There has been no change regarding which colour of hydrogen remains the ultimate target: the future is green. This will remain the case after the German federal government amended its National Hydrogen Strategy at the end of July. The revised strategy foresees the path to a green future having a few blue stops along the way.
The Technical Centre Opens its Doors
An important event for Jülich hydrogen researchers – employees at Forschungszentrum Jülich’s Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW) can now move into their technical centre. On Monday, 18 September 2023, Martin Jungmann, managing director of the building’s investor and lessor Jülicher Immobiliengesellschaft (JIG), handed over the keys to the INW directors.
Brainergy Park Connect
Just a few days ago, there was nothing to see here but a sandy, flattened surface. But now, construction of the start-up village at Brainergy Park near Jülich has begun. It is now clear to see that something new is being built in the immediate vicinity of our cluster. “Looking from above, the village will look like the…
Outstanding
A “Hygo” for Stephan Kiermeier . Preis für einen Vorreiter der Wasserstoff-Welt: (von links) Anne Schüssler, Wasserstoff-Beauftragte des Kreises Düren, Landrat Wolfgang Spelthahn, Dr. Stephan Kiermaier und das Jülicher Vorstandsmitglied Dr. Peter Jansens. Foto: Forschungszentrum Jülich/JansenDr. Stephan Kiermaier from Forschungszentrum Jülich’s Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW) received the Düren district’s “Hygo” hydrogen award on Thursday evening.…
Dimethyl ether
A Component of the Global Hydrogen Economy One solution to the hydrogen economy of the future might possibly be found in many deodorant spray cans. Dimethyl ether (DME) has long been used as a propellant gas. Scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have published a paper on the…
Prevent the Reaching of Tipping Points on Climate Change
The flood catastrophe in 2021 has left deep scars. Here you can see the river Inde breaking into the Inden open-pit mine. Photo: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Jansen Climate change is real, just like the influence of humans on global warming. This is something the overwhelming majority of researchers in this field agree on. “We are seeing a global increase in…
The Colours of Hydrogen, Part 1: Grey
The range of hydrogen colours is diverse. Image: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Reisen How many colours of hydrogen do you know about? First of all, hydrogen does not actually have a colour. It is invisible. Whenever we speak about green, grey, or blue hydrogen, we do so to distinguish between the different methods of hydrogen production. Or we use a colour…
A Meeting in the Park
Former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt was known for his pithy remarks. He famously once said: “Anyone who has visions should go to the doctor.” This remark was made in 1980 in reference to the election campaign ideas of his fellow Social Democrat Party (SPD) member Willy Brandt. Doctors would likely have a lot to do if – in…
Green Hydrogen for Düren Trains
Alongside the Helmholtz Cluster for a Sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy (HC-H2), other major hydrogen projects are being pursued with the aim of achieving an energy transition in the Rhenish mining area. For example in the district of Düren. The district, which neighbours all three open-cast mines in the Rhenish mining area, aims to be carbon-neutral by 2035.…
The Hydrogen Future of Inland Navigation
Tankers Curiosity and Courage sail towards the Cologne Cathedral and the future of inland navigation. Photo: HGK The Rhenish mining area, which is situated close to the river Rhine, is currently the largest lignite mining region in Europe and is set to become the focus of Europe’s biggest climate protection project. This will come to fruition as lignite…
The Road to a Hydrogen Future
Wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, such as those installed here next to Brainergy Park in the town of Jülich, are among the technologies that will enable a future with hydrogen. Photo: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Jansen “Hydrogen is an essential part of the future of our company. We have an innovative idea, but need support in finding the best way forward.”…
“Water Will Be the Coal of the Future”
Jules Vernes, who published his science fiction novel “The Mysterious Island” in 1874. Photos: Adobe Stock; editing: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Clarissa Reisen “Water Will Be the Coal of the Future” These words were written an astonishingly long time ago, given the message they convey. They were written back in 1874 by French author Jules Verne in his novel “The Mysterious…
Precursor for the Future Hydrogen Economy
Our hydrogen Lego model is a precursor of the hydrogen centre of excellence that the district of Düren is opening this year. Photo: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Jansen The Helmholtz hydrogen cluster (HC-H2) can currently also be found in Düren, specifically in the new “Seen und Entdecken” (lakes and discovery) forum of the district administration at Moltkestraße 39. At the forum,…
“Hydrogen and Batteries are Highly Complementary”
Discussion with the NRW-SPD parliamentary group about the environmentally friendly energy economy of the future Prof. Dr. Peter Wasserscheid (right) in conversation with André Stinka and Dr. Saskia Wessel. Photo: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Jansen Experts invited to a political talk show usually have differing opinions. Otherwise the discussion that is hoped for would not take place. “You certainly wouldn’t be…
Andreas Peschel Begins Work
Direkt tief in die Materie eingestiegen: Prof. Andreas Peschel (r.) und Prof. Peter Wasserscheid (l.) sprechen mit dem CDU-Bundestagsabgeordneten Thomas Rachel über die Bedeutung von Wasserstoff für die Energiewende und den Strukturwandel im Rheinischen Revier. Foto: Guido BarthProf. Andreas Peschel has his first few days of work behind him. The new subinstitute director at Forschungszentrum Jülich’s Institute for…
Great Interest Shown
Konrad Adenauer Foundation scholarship holders came to visit us and had a lot of questions about the hydrogen economy of the future. Photo: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Jansen Visit from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Many bright and curious minds came to visit our institute and cluster. Twenty-five Konrad Adenauer Foundation scholarship holders spoke to us about the energy transition and the…
“We’re on the Runway”
InterviewProf. Peter Wasserscheid, HC-H2 spokesperson. Photo: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Kreklau In September 2021, the Helmholtz Cluster for a Sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy (HC-H2) was launched. Chemical engineer Prof. Dr. Peter Wasserscheid is spokesperson for the cluster and founding director of the Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW), which forms the core of HC-H2. In this interview, he takes…
Multi-SOFC: Pioneering Hydrogen Project at Erkelenz Hospital
Jülich/Erkelenz. The Hermann-Josef-Krankenhaus (HJK) hospital in Erkelenz is becoming a pioneering project for the environmentally friendly energy supply of the future. At the hospital, Robert Bosch GmbH and Hydrogenious LOHC NRW GmbH are demonstrating the coupling of new hydrogen technologies on an economically relevant scale for the first time. The project is contributing to the energy transition and…
Our Core Region
At the heart of things instead of on the periphery (“Mittendrin statt nur dabei”): this was a famous advertising slogan used by a German TV sports channel. This slogan also holds for the Helmholtz Cluster for a Sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy (HC-H2). The town of Jülich, Forschungszentrum Jülich, and the cluster are all situated in the heart…
Our Ideas to Save the World
Our ideas might sound a bit grand upon first reading: We want to save the world. And we want to try and transform the Rhenish mining area into a hotspot for the environmentally friendly energy economy of the future. Open online presentation As part of Forschungszentrum Jülich’s “Science Online” series, we attempt to explain who we are, what…
Hydrogen State NRW
“Hydrogen State NRW”: Our spokesperson Prof. Peter Wasserscheid took part in a webinar organized by the North Rhine-Westphalian (NRW) branch of Alliance 90/The Greens on the topic of hydrogen. The online event, which was open to the public, focused on NRW as a hydrogen state and the industrial use of hydrogen for a net-zero future here. NRW Minister…
Talking about structural change
Visit from Düsseldorf Minister Mona Neubaur on HC-H2: “You Will Write History.” Mona Neubaur, Minister of Economics of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), visited Forschungszentrum Jülich on Monday to find out about the centre’s contribution to structural change in the Rhenish mining area and its innovative approaches for a sustainable and secure energy system of the future. The focus was…
New Director: Andreas Peschel
New Director: Andreas Peschel Moves to Jülich A key position at Forschungszentrum Jülich’s new Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW) will soon be filled. On 1 March, process engineer Dr.-Ing. Andreas Peschel will be appointed Director of Process and Plant Engineering for Chemical Hydrogen Storage (INW-4). Peschel is currently head of chemical technology research and development at Linde…
If Not Here, Then Where Else?
The district of Düren and the Helmholtz Cluster for a Sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy (HC-H2) are looking to strengthen their dialogue. That is why district administrator Wolfgang Spelthahn and HC-H2 spokesperson Prof. Peter Wasserscheid met to talk about the major topic of hydrogen. Net zero by 2035 For many years now, the district of Düren has been…
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The excitement is building for the days ahead: the Helmholtz hydrogen cluster team took to baking Christmas cookies during the evening.We would like to wish all our friends and supporters a merry Christmas and a New Year full of health and happiness. We have already achieved a great deal together and…
Exciting Autumn at HC-H2
It has been an eventful few weeks for our small, but constantly growing team. Autumn at HC-H2 was largely dominated by our major launch event on 12 September. Here is a short video providing a snapshot of the event that was held at Brainergy Park. https://vimeo.com/user53323147/review/752058476/8220d9c42c Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Marquardt, Chair of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich,…
HC-H2: What’s It All About?
HC-H2: What’s It All About? You can watch the presentation given by Prof. Peter Wasserscheid as part of Forschungszentrum Jülich’s Science Online series by clicking the link here. HC-H2 is the largest ongoing structural change project in the Rhenish mining area. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research alone is providing the project with € 860 million in…
Third star for the new research building
The next important step for the creation of the Helmholtz Cluster for Sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy (HC-H2) has been taken: it is now certain that the new research building planned for Brainergy Park near Jülich by 2030 will receive funding. The Supervisory Board of the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier awarded the third star to the new research building…
Great response to our official launch
A moment to be remembered: our official launch with the unveiling of our new logo was – thanks to our numerous and great guests – a special moment for our team and huge motivation to pursue our objectives. This is how Medienhaus Aachen reports on the launch of our hydrogen cluster: To the articleTo the articleHere is the…
Official Opening of Helmholtz Hydrogen Cluster HC-H2 in Brainergy Park Jülich
The Helmholtz Hydrogen-Cluster HC-H2 is to provide essential impetus to develop the Rhenish mining area into a pioneering model region for hydrogen technologies. One year after its launch, Germany’s largest hydrogen infrastructure project, which is coordinated by Forschungszentrum Jülich, celebrated its official opening at Brainergy Park Jülich. Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) Hendrik Wüst, State Secretary at…
It is all about hydrogen, isn’t it?
Revier.Geschichten – Dein Podcast zum Rheinischen Revier Dr. Susanne Spörler, coordinator of our hydrogen cluster, talks about what we are currently working on and what we want to achieve. Klicken Sie auf den unteren Button, um den Inhalt von www.revier-gestalten.nrw zu laden. Inhalt laden What else you need to knowLearn more
Best wishes for the launch
A message of greeting from Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag from Düren. Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag from Düren and long-time State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, has been one of the first companions of HC-H2. In a message of greeting, he wishes the employees of the cluster great…
Big hydrogen world made of small bricks
HC-H2’s researchers build an elaborate LEGO® model. On three and a half square meters, a LEGO® model represents part of the possibilities of the hydrogen economy of the future, which the researchers from Jülich want to demonstrate on a large scale in the Rhenish mining area. The bricks are still small and the ideas still dreams of the…
Helmholtz Hydrogen Cluster at Jülich is gathering momentum
Leibniz Prize winner Prof. Peter Wasserscheid appointed founding director Jülich, November 24, 2021 – The captain is on board. On November 1, Prof. Peter Wasserscheid was appointed founding director of Forschungszentrum Jülich’s newly established Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW). With its H2 innovation centre, INW will pool the scientific activities in this field and become the…
€ 860 million in funding: The Rhenish mining area to become model region for hydrogen technology
Forschungszentrum Jülich establishes new Helmholtz cluster for the hydrogen economy Jülich, September 3, 2021 – Forschungszentrum Jülich will establish a “Helmholtz Cluster for Sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy” (HC-H2) in the Rhenish mining area. The flagship project for research-driven new value creation will be funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research with around € 860…