The future of refuelling:
Green hydrogen picks up speed
Starting signal for one of the largest orders in our company history: RWE Generation and the Westfalen Group are building up to 70 hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany over the next few years.
The energy transition calls for alternative fuels. One of the preferred fuels for heavy trucks in long-distance transport is green hydrogen. Well-known truck manufacturers such as Daimler, Paccar and Scania are therefore already increasing their capacities for H2 commercial vehicles. However, the market ramp-up can only take off successfully with the appropriate bottling and refuelling infrastructure.
RWE Generation and the Westfalen Group are taking up the cause. Depending on how the market develops, the joint venture plans to build up to 70 hydrogen refuelling stations in Germany over the next six years. It’s a huge task for the energy transition that requires efficient partner concepts. “Together with the experienced plant planner Lindschulte Industrial Engineering and the established specialist for hydrogen filling plants Theisen, we have developed a solution concept as general contractor that has convinced RWE both in commercial and technical terms,” says our colleague Thanh Ha Schmidt, Head of the Hydrogen Division in Visbek. There is a slight element of pride involved, as this project requires a high level of expertise in the field of hydrogen.
„Together with the experienced plant planner Lindschulte Industrial Engineering and the established specialist for hydrogen filling plants Theisen, we have developed a solution concept as general contractor that has convinced RWE both in commercial and technical terms.”
Thanh Ha Schmidt, Head of the Hydrogen Division
The starting signal for one of the largest orders in our company history to date was given in September 2023. Since then, we have been working purposefully on planning, approvals, procurement of components and preparations for the construction of the plant in order to build and commission a turnkey, fully automated hydrogen trailer filling station and hydrogen refuelling station in Lingen. In order to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in heavy goods transport, the tanks must be filled with hydrogen from climate-friendly sources. “RWE provides green hydrogen with its electrolysis plants in Lingen and the Westfalen Group takes care of the construction and the operation of the refuelling station infrastructure. Together, we are helping to get hydrogen-powered horsepower on the road,” explains Dr Sopna Sury, Hydrogen COO at our customer RWE Generation.
“We already have decades of expertise in handling hydrogen and operating filling stations. We are looking forward to securing the refuelling of commercial vehicles, buses and cars on site as well as the supply of other filling stations and industrial customers,” says Dr Meike Schäffler, member of the Westfalen Management Board.
