Hydrogen Integration Platform (HIP)

The Hydrogen-Integration-Platform is a new research infrastructure integrating hydrogen technologies in practical electric grid environments. It consists of several laboratories and hardware components:

• The collaborative research project AppLHy! (part of the lead project TransHyDE) demonstrates the liquefaction of hydrogen as well as transport, storage and use of liquid hydrogen (LH₂). Additionally, the facility will offer LH₂ for other users on KIT Campus North and is connected to the PHIL & SENSSIC facilities as well as the “Anlagenverbund”.
  The very first power device under test is a Hybrid Energy Pipeline transmitting electrical power and liquid hydrogen in a unique compact rigid transfer pipeline.
• Special synergies are leveraged by combining LH₂ and High-Temperature-Superconductors (HTS) in power devices.
• In a joint feasibility study (with industrial partners) on electric motors for large fuel-cell-electric vehicles the performance of HTS-based compact high-torque motors is addressed.
• With its 50 kW electrolyzer and 10 kW fuel cell system, the H₂-in-the-loop lab will emulate realistic grid conditions in which the hydrogen technologies will prove their capability to offer grid services by means of the Power Hardware In the Loop testing approach.
• The H₂-Rail infrastructure is a transfer-to-industry joint-venture between KIT and Siemens Mobility, where a real hybrid battery-hydrogen cargo train is reproduced. High-TRL (>7-8) control strategies for energy management will be developed together with the experts of Siemens Mobility, and implemented directly on the train without needing further factory testing. This approach accelerates the introduction to market of our energy strategy ideas.