Department

Applied Hydrogen Technologies

H2ORIZON research and demonstration platform
Lampoldshausen is home to the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion, one of the largest hydrogen users in Europe, and, in the immediate neighborhood, currently the largest wind farm in Baden-Württemberg. The DLR Institute and ZEAG Energie AG are jointly building a hydrogen-based, networked energy system based on these infrastructures. In this way, sector coupling of the energy industry, transport and space flight is being realized on a megawatt scale.
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Zero Emission – Hydrogen site Lampoldshausen
The "Zero Emission" project focuses on the production and use of green hydrogen. The aim is to research and implement the opportunities and challenges of the widespread use of regeneratively produced hydrogen – under the special conditions of an energy-intensive location for testing space propulsion systems.
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Hydrogen site DLR Lampoldshausen
DLR Lampoldshausen has unique experience in the use of hydrogen in large quantities. Every year, the site requires up to 300 tons of liquid hydrogen and over 20 tons of gaseous hydrogen to test space propulsion systems. By setting up an additional hydrogen test infrastructure, DLR is strengthening its role as a technology and development partner. Hydrogen-based systems and components can be tested and further developed there on several test benches. Thanks to its modular design, the test infrastructure can be flexibly adapted – depending on the order and research project.
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The Applied Hydrogen Technologies department operates test facilities for hydrogen technologies, demonstrates the on-site production of green hydrogen and is responsible for the transfer of knowledge in the planning, realization and operation of hydrogen systems. We offer our expertise to customers and research institutions. In addition to our own research in the field of optimizing hydrogen-carrying systems, the department is responsible for the CO2 reduction roadmap for the Lampoldshausen site.

The H2ORIZON project with ZEAG Energie AG established a research and demonstration platform for the production of green hydrogen on a megawatt scale at the Lampoldshausen site and at the same time laid the foundation for a more sustainable energy supply at the DLR Institute. The project was supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector.

As a continuation of this approach, the Zero Emission - Hydrogen Location Lampoldshausen project demonstrates in a special way the opportunities that lie in the broad use of hydrogen at an energy-intensive research and testing location. The diversity of the topics dealt with in the project underlines the importance of hydrogen as a central medium for future sector coupling. The project is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Housing and Labor of the State of Baden-Württemberg.

A modern test infrastructure is a prerequisite for the successful application of hydrogen technologies. In order to meet the needs beyond the H2-Container technical center, the HYDROGENIUM test and application center and a platform for knowledge transfer and consulting for companies and municipalities are being created at the DLR site in Lampoldshausen. From 2026, both will support small and medium-sized companies in the development and industrial production of hydrogen-based components and complete systems. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs is funding the HYDROGENIUM with a total of around 4.6 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as well as around 2.3 million euros from state funds. A further four million euros come from DLR funds.

An interdisciplinary team of scientists is working on pioneering projects at the DLR site and beyond. By operating the hydrogen test infrastructure, we enable customers and other research institutions to quickly bring hydrogen applications to market. We offer our expertise in consulting, engineering, simulation of hydrogen-carrying systems and testing in the field of hydrogen and hydrogen infrastructures. Our experts in technical planning, approval, realization and operation of hydrogen plants are available to provide support. In addition, the DLR Institute cooperates closely with colleagues from DLR's Energy and Transport program areas.

News from the department

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Current Projects

Project

Zero Emission – Hydrogen site Lampoldshausen

Project

HYDROGENIUM

Research and Test Infrastructure

Hydrogen Test Infrastructure

HYDROGENIUM

A modern test infrastructure is a prerequisite for the successful application of hydrogen technologies. To this end, the HYDROGENIUM test and application center and a platform for knowledge transfer and consulting for companies and municipalities are being established at the DLR site in Lampoldshausen.

Hydrogen Test Infrastructure

H2-Container technical center

The site is building a modular and flexible test environment for hydrogen technologies. Together with partners from industry and research, the entire hydrogen value chain is to be examined and improved. The aim is to accelerate the technology transfer from hydrogen research to hydrogen applications.

Publications

Brochure: Hydrogen research at DLR

2.9 MB | PDF

Sustainably and economically produced hydrogen is a key component in massively reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the energy, transportation and industrial sectors and in combating climate change. Hydrogen technologies have been successfully researched in Germany for a long time.

Further links

Hydrogen activities in Baden-Württemberg

Platform H2BW

Value creation potential combined with emissions reduction, and not just in the mobility sector – the advantages of hydrogen as an energy source are great, and its potential in Baden-Württemberg is even greater.

Research and demonstration platform

H2ORIZON

Sector coupling and thus the sensible use of synergies plays a major role in the energy transition. The H2ORIZON research project couples sectors with green hydrogen. And this, thanks to a unique constellation of expertise and geographical proximity.

Baden-Württemberg becomes hydrogen state

From production and transportation to use in vehicles or the heating sector, an innovative hydrogen economy is currently emerging in Baden-Württemberg.

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Daniela Lindner

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Propulsion
Applied Hydrogen Technologies
Im Langen Grund, 74239 Hardthausen
Germany