Green Hydrogen: University of Siegen Leads European Project Worth Millions

In the future, green hydrogen is expected to help make industry and transportation more climate-friendly. But how can it be produced efficiently, transported safely, and used economically? A European collaborative research project coordinated by the University of Siegen is seeking answers to these questions. A total of 24 institutions from academia and industry are collaborating on this project. At the same time, 15 early-career researchers are being trained to become experts in the hydrogen technologies of the future. The European Union is funding the “Hy-DETAILS” project with approximately 4.5 million euros as part of its “Horizon Europe” program.

“Everything related to green hydrogen takes place within a closely interconnected ecosystem: from hydrogen production to transportation and practical application. Instead of considering individual technologies in isolation, our project therefore takes a holistic view of the entire chain,” explains project leader Dr.-Ing. Bikash Sah from the Chair of Interconnected Automation Systems (IAS) at the University of Siegen.

Green hydrogen is produced using electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. In this process, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen obtained in this way can be used, for example, in industry or in fuel cells to power vehicles. “But a great deal of research is still needed before hydrogen can truly be used on a large scale,” explains Bikash Sah. He will lead the coordination of the four-year project. More than ten European countries are participating, including Spain, France, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

The University of Siegen is also playing a central role in managing the joint training program. As part of “Hy-DETAILS,” 15 doctoral students are set to become “architects of green hydrogen”: experts who not only master individual technologies but also understand the entire interplay of hydrogen production, transport, use, and economic viability. The doctoral candidates therefore do not conduct research in isolation on their respective topics but collaborate within an international network and receive interdisciplinary training—including research stays at the participating universities, institutions, and companies.

Two doctoral projects are based entirely at the University of Siegen, while another project is to be carried out in collaboration with the French industry partner “Lhyfe.” The company builds, designs, and operates hydrogen production facilities. Using measurement data and artificial intelligence, the researchers aim to better understand why the systems age, how failures can be detected early, and how the systems’ service life can be extended. Part of this research is being conducted at the University of Siegen.

The second doctoral project at Siegen focuses on how electrical systems can be made more resilient. The focus is on so-called power electronics, which, for example, connects fuel cells to the power grid and regulates the exchange of electrical energy. It is designed to function reliably even under difficult conditions, such as high loads or technical malfunctions.

The third research project, based at the University of Siegen, will focus on monitoring fuel cells that convert energy stored in hydrogen into electricity. The goal is to develop methods for checking the condition of a fuel cell—even while it is in operation. This will enable damage or signs of wear to be detected early on in the future.

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities are available for the research work at the Siegen Chair of Interconnected Automation Systems. Here, electrical systems can be developed and tested under realistic conditions. “We are thrilled to have been awarded the Hy-DETAILS project: It not only puts our department on the European map but also contributes to the international visibility of the entire university—and in a field that is truly shaping the future,” says department head Prof. Dr. Oliver Wallscheid.