Economical and climate-friendly
Clean Power Net’s aim is to expand the potential of fuel cell technology within the markets that serve industry and business – and this will principally be achieved through partnerships between users and manufacturers of fuel cells. The CPN network is paving the way for the widespread, rapid and economical use of this climate-friendly technology in the supply of energy.
The markets
• Information technology
• Railway infrastructure
• Telecommunications
• Traffic-control systems
• Road/transport safety
• Measurement technology
• Process automation
• Supply of water and power
In the telecommunications field alone there is enormous potential for using fuel cells to provide secure and uninterruptible power supplies: More than 5 million base stations worldwide (2020) producing more than 7 million tons of CO2 annually through the operation of diesel generators. We are currently laying the foundations for the development of this market.
Our main concern at Clean Power Net is the promotion of environmentally friendly and economical fuel cell applications for industry and business. This will enhance the competitiveness of both users and manufacturers of innovative fuel-cell solutions in Germany.
Fokus of Clean Power Net
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Back-Up, Emergency Standby Power Systems
Fail-safe power supplies are nowadays essential in many areas of industry and in society at large, whether it be mobile-phone base stations, hospitals, industrial process control centres, computer centres or secondary technology in transformer stations. UPS systems ‘bridge’ the outage. Fuel cells offer a persuasive solution here due to their long service lives and the fact that they cover a wide temperature range.
Mobile and semi-stationary power supply
A reliable, off-grid and flexible supply of energy is a decisive factor in a wide variety of situations. On-board power supplies for rescue and security forces, the provision of power in the event of a disaster or the supply of energy for security technology at events all require a reliable source of energy. The fuel cell is of tremendous importance here as a mobile or semi-stationary, emission-free energy supplier with a high level of efficiency.
Non-grid-connected/autonomous power supplies
Connection to an electricity grid is frequently impractical, and it is not economically viable to lay a cable. Mobile-phone base stations in emerging countries, construction-site safety equipment and road-pricing systems are therefore powered via batteries or diesel generators. The fuel cell is the economical and environmentally friendly alternative in such cases. In combination with a PV system, it is also possible to supply houses with energy completely self-sufficiently.
Virtual power plants
The demand imposed on electricity grids by power fluctuations is increasing with the development of renewable energy sources. Alongside large power stations, a short-term operating reserve can also be provided by integrating small, distributed (but centrally controlled) installations comprising fuel cells powered by renewable fuels, which will operate as emission-free virtual power plants.
“The time for hydrogen and the technologies required for it is ripe. We must therefore tap into and exploit the potential for value creation, employment and climate protection now.”
Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy
(Source: BMWi)
“No matter if in industry, but also in mobility […] with its diverse applications, hydrogen is a very interesting and necessary alternative to become carbon neutral.”
Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
(Source: BMVI)
“Hydrogen is already commercially viable today and represents a very decisive fuel of the future. As the BMVI, we are therefore doing everything possible to ensure that hydrogen and fuel cell drives become a success story – preferably a German one.”
Steffen Bilger, Parliamentary State Secretary, BMVI
(Source: BMVI)
“Besides renewable energies and energy efficiency, energy self-sufficiency and a secure power supply are playing an increasingly important role within the context of the energy transition. This is particularly true in view of the risk to and vulnerability of modern digital societies in the event of large-scale and prolonged power supply failures. Fuel cells offer significant advantages here in providing a secure supply of power for digital and critical infrastructures.
We are pleased to support the companies in the Clean Power Net innovation cluster within the scope of NIP II.”
Elena Hof, Programme and Team Leader National Innovation Programme Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NIP), NOW GmbH