SPIE among the first companies to join the HySON development association to promote hydrogen technology in Thuringia

Sonneberg, 8 July 2021 – SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa, the German subsidiary of SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has been one of the earliest members of the HySON development association, supporting the HySON Institute for Applied Hydrogen Research in Sonneberg. Through it, SPIE is actively promoting the further development of hydrogen technology, hydrogen systems and associated infrastructure facilities through Thuringia.

Successful partnership

The HySON institute’s research focuses on the practical application of H2 technologies. The institute’s Sonneberg location is playing a leading role in the development and trialling of hydrogen technology, particularly as it is already carrying out practical testing of the existing local H2 infrastructure and exploring potential synergies. With its current network of 34 members from business, science and politics, the HySON development association is focusing its efforts on promoting the areas of research, training and application for hydrogen technology, hydrogen systems and associated infrastructure facilities. SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa is one of the development association’s first members and, being a multi-technical service provider, is also an expert in the end-to-end implementation of complex projects and grid infrastructure services. “SPIE’s Erfurt branch had a close partnership with the IAB institute^[1] for many years and is now embarking on a new one with the HySON institute”, says Steffen Voigt, Head of the Erfurt branch in the CityNetworks & Grids operational division of SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa.

As well as working together within the development association, SPIE will also be supporting the fit-out of the HySON institute premises as a partner and multi-technical service provider: “The fit-out is currently in the approval phase. Once works get under way, SPIE will be establishing all the infrastructure connections,” says Ralf Tröger, Head of Pipeline Construction in the CityNetworks & Grids operational division of SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa.

Multi-technical service provider expert in hydrogen development

“At SPIE, we see our membership as an opportunity to develop a regional network with component manufacturers, research projects and users, which will allow us to actively support specific projects and pass on our expertise in this field as well as deepen it further through an open dialogue and close cooperation,” says Ralf Tröger. As a system integrator and expert in the implementation, maintenance and repair of technical infrastructure with outstanding know-how in electricity, gas and heat distribution networks, SPIE is the perfect partner when it comes to further developing the wide variety of applications in the world of hydrogen technology. Sector coupling as well as the storage, transport and application of hydrogen in industry are just some of the areas in which SPIE can excel. In the area of mobility, SPIE’s current activities involving the nationwide expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles will be supplemented in the future by hydrogen filling stations.

Hydrogen driving forward the energy transition

As a multi-technical service provider, SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa is keen to work with its customers and partners to actively promote hydrogen as a technology of the future. “Hydrogen is a vital energy source in the energy transition. It is regarded as being hugely significant in moving us towards a climate-neutral future. As the market leader for transmission-network and distribution-grid solutions in Germany, we are keen to assume a leading role in the field of hydrogen technology, too, and will work actively to bring forward solutions for the safe and cost-efficient use of hydrogen,” says Peter Pfannenstiel, Member of the Management Board of SPIE Deutschland & Zentraleuropa and Managing Director/COO of SPIE SAG GmbH.

_{[1] Weimar Institute of Applied Construction Research - “Institut für Angewandte Baustoffforschung Weimar gGmbH” in German.}