Thuringian Logistics Industry Informs Itself About Hydrogen

Not only since the diesel price has easily surpassed the two euro per liter mark is it clear that the future belongs to alternative drives. Especially for the transport and logistics sector, which is heavily reliant on traffic, sustainable and forward-looking solutions are needed in light of climate goals. Therefore, interest was high when the Thuringian Energy and GreenTech Agency (ThEGA) invited to the “Logistics Day: Hydrogen in Practice” on March 31 in Bad Langensalza.

(Weimar) In Bad Langensalza, green electricity is to be converted into hydrogen via electrolysis, stored, and made available for regional needs. As a partner of the event, the Logistics Network Thuringia supports development and serves as a point of contact for the industry.

Companies planning to convert their commercial vehicle fleets to new fuel cell drives need answers to questions regarding economic viability, funding opportunities, supply infrastructure, as well as performance and availability of corresponding vehicles. Therefore, these topics, along with the opportunity for in-depth individual consultations, were the focus of the Logistics Day. “Thuringia is on a good path to take a leading role in the hydrogen sector. We see great potential here and want to contribute to ensuring that the players in the logistics industry are familiar with the offerings in the region early on and can get involved,” says Sven Lindig, Managing Director of Lindig Fördertechnik GmbH and board member of the Logistics Network Thuringia.

Hydrogen is Versatile

“The application possibilities of hydrogen technology are extremely diverse. Location-based and cross-company offerings, such as those that could be established in Bad Langensalza and Eisenach, would be able to establish the use of modern drives across industries and enable more sustainable economic practices,” adds Lindig.

Further Project Partners to be Acquired

To implement the planned project, a project company has been established, with which further joint steps and funding applications are to be realized. In addition to Loick AG, Boreas Energy, Q1, and Lindig are core partners. Other partners, such as regional freight forwarders and other energy-intensive companies, are to be acquired in the next project phases. The project company has also received funding approval from Berlin for the procurement of electrolysis, compressors, storage, and mobile trailers. In addition to securing funding, the plots for the construction of a PV system and electrolysis, as well as for the establishment of the filling station directly on Thamsbrücker Straße, have already been acquired. The consortium is now waiting for significant regulatory decisions from Brussels and Berlin to comply with the newly created legal framework regarding electricity supply and hydrogen distribution. Further partners in the project network are welcome.

Photo: © Logistik Netzwerk Thüringen e.V.