22. April 2024in Fairs & Exhibitions, Meet AMBARtec, Press Release

AMBARtec Develops Compact 1000-liter Storage Unit for Storage and Transport of 90 kg of Hydrogen (H2) per Storage Unit

 DRESDEN, April 22, 2024. AMBARtec AG is scaling up its field-tested iron oxide-based hydrogen storage unit to a volume of 1000 liters. Its storage capacity, at 90 kg of hydrogen, is more than 10 times larger than the capacity of conventional 300 bar pressure gas H2 storage units of the same size. The stored energy of 3 MWh enables initial applications in the industry. For more information, visitors of the Hannover Messe can visit the AMBARtec booth, located at the Niedersachsen Pavilion, Hall 13, Booth C61.

The potential applications of the AMBARtec storage unit are diverse, ranging from highly efficient energy storage to the secure transportation of hydrogen over considerable distances, and even to hydrogen propulsion in maritime shipping. Looking ahead, AMBARtec plans to integrate its 1000-liter modules into standard 20-foot containers, facilitating handling and transportation via conventional logistics means such as cranes, trucks, trains, and ships. Each container will boast a capacity of 600 to 900 kg of H2 (equivalent to 20 to 30 MWh).

Improved efficiency with zero safety riskso

Beim Speichern erneuerbarer Energie und ihrer bedarfsgerechten Bereitstellung vor Ort lässt sich der Strom-zu-Strom-Wirkungsgrad gegenüber herkömmlichen - When storing renewable energy and ensuring its tailored provision on-site, the electricity-to-electricity efficiency can more than double compared to traditional H2-based systems by optimally integrating the storage unit with a Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) and a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). With rapid charging and discharging times of around 30 minutes, the 1000-liter storage unit is ideal for a self-sufficient energy supply for small businesses and residential properties with 20 or more units. Due to the use of iron as the energy storage medium, no H2 can escape. Therefore, the storage unit is not classified as hazardous material and is easy to approve. Thanks to its very high energy storage density of around 3 kWh per liter, energy from sources like solar and wind parks can be transported cost-effectively over long distances.

Sustainable materials with minimal water consumption

Using iron oxide and water ensures the use of sustainable, readily available, and cost-effective materials. During the storage loading process, the water required for electrolysis can be efficiently recovered. With a 90% reduction in water consumption, the storage unit is especially beneficial for deployment in sun-rich regions with limited water resources. .

A realistic alternative for maritime shipping

Thanks to a considerably reduced space requirement by a factor of 10, straightforward handling, and top-notch safety measures, our storage units can effortlessly fit into the ship's hull and be paired with a hydrogen engine or fuel cell. This makes AMBARtec's storage solutions a viable and eco-friendly alternative for propulsion in the maritime industry.

Outlook

The next stages of expansion for the storage unit are already underway. This includes the development of two 6000-liter storage units with capacities of 600 and 900 kg of hydrogen, integrated into 20-foot containers. These units are designed specifically for industrial use.

About AMBARtec:

AMBARtec AG, headquartered in Dresden, is a pioneering innovator in the field of iron oxide-based hydrogen storage. The process involves the reduction and oxidation of iron: during the loading phase, hydrogen reduces the iron oxide storage medium, releasing steam that can be reused in electrolysis. During discharge, water vapor is introduced to the storage unit at the destination, leading to the oxidation of iron and the release of hydrogen.

AMBARtec has successfully validated this technology with various storage sizes through multi-month practical tests at its demonstration facility in Freiberg, Saxony. The certifier LRQA has confirmed its viability through an "Approval in Principle" designation.

Press Contact:  

Dr. Ines Bilas

AMBARtec AG

Head of Marketing and Communication

Phone:  +49 172 234 11 00

Email: ines.bilas@ambartec.de

Website: www.ambartec.de 

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1000-Liter-Storage Unit in 20‘-Container

Image: AMBARtec

Demonstration facility of AMBARtec AG in Freiberg

Photo by: BLEND3 Frank Grätz

Iron oxide pellets as a storage medium

Photo by: BLEND3 Frank Grätz

9. November 2023in Press Release

Sustainable H2-Future: CEO Matthias Rudloff at CHC Forum Science, Dresden

On the 25th of October 2023, our CEO, Matthias Rudloff, had the honor of representing the business perspective at the CHC Forum Science panel discussion. The key takeaways from the discussion:
1. To advance the growth of the hydrogen economy, we urgently need economically viable business cases for #hydrogen applications.

2. It’s vital for policymakers to establish straightforward and practical regulatory frameworks to support this transition.

3. While fundamental research is essential, #Germany has made significant progress. Our challenge now is fostering companies that turn this research into value for the German economy.

> Clean Hydrogen Convention

12. May 2023in Cooperations, Press Release

AMBARtec and Envenion cooperate on hydrogen projects in Switzerland

AMBARtec AG and Envenion GmbH, the Swiss consulting company for innovative energy supplies, reaffirm their commitment to the Swiss energy market. The two companies plan to work together to bring AMBARtec's uniquely innovative HyCS technology for large-scale hydrogen storage and transport to Switzerland and neighbouring regions.
AMBARtec and Envenion are looking forward to deploying the innovative HyCS® storage technology in Switzerland and adjacent regions.

Envenion GmbH specializes in climate-friendly, low-emission energy supply solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The company, based in the greater Zurich area, accompanies its customers on the path to energy self-sufficiency with planning, project management and long-term support for the systems. 
25. April 2023in Fairs & Exhibitions, Press Release

Hannover Messe 2023: Successfully completed

Thank you for joining us at the Hannover Messe on 17-22th April 2023. We had the pleasure of meeting Minister President of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, and other dignitaries at our booth. We had an informative and robust discussion about hydrogen-storage and the benefits of our HyCS technology.
Hydrogen Storage is the future! So join us and be part of our journey by contacting us at post@ambartec.de.
15. November 2022in Press Release

First plant for storage of energy and hydrogen based on iron oxide successfully commissioned

DRESDEN/FREIBERG - 15 November 2022 - AMBARtec AG (Dresden), together with the EPC company Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden (UIT), has commissioned the first plant for the storage and transport of hydrogen based on iron oxide using the Hydrogen Compact Storage (HyCS®) process in the Saxon city of Freiberg.
The companies have implemented the demonstration for a hydrogen storage that is in addition to its compactness extremely efficient and sustainable. The strongly reduced water requirement for hydrogen production, the rapid storage and retrieval as well as the simple permitting procedures make the process very attractive.

Compact storage increases transportability
Compared to today’s storage technologies, AMBARtec’s HyCS process enables a much more compact storage and transport of energy and hydrogen. Up to 3 kWh of energy can be stored in one litre of storage material, whereas lithium-ion batteries currently only achieve 0.3 kWh/litre and liquid hydrogen 2 kWh/litre. The solution jointly implemented by UIT and AMBARtec makes the regional and international transport of H2 significantly easier and more cost-effective. Beyond transport, the HyCS process can contribute to becoming less dependent on supra-regional electricity and gas supplies in times of rising energy prices in combination with photovoltaic systems and/or heat pumps.

Technology with a lot of potential
HyCS technology offers enormous potential for increasing the efficiency of electricity storage compared to known H2-based solutions. Through clever integration with high-temperature electrolysers (SOEC) and fuel cells (SOFC), efficiencies of over 65 percent can be achieved, about twice as high as with established processes.

Constructive and trusting cooperation between the project partners The innovative process was first developed into a very detailed technical concept by AMBARtec AG and then implemented by Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden. Thanks to the cooperation of the individual specialist departments, the planning details were clarified in a targeted manner and the project was completed on time.

AMBARtec company founders Uwe Pahl and Matthias Rudloff, supported by Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden, have reached a major milestone: with the commissioning, they have provided technical proof that their process, developed over many years, can also be operated in a real plant. "We have already implemented all the components, control loops and safety systems in this plant that are required in real customer facilities," explains AMBARtec CTO Uwe Pahl. "After completing the test operation, we will systematically scale up the storage facility step by step over the next few months."

UIT Managing Director Lars Braun was also satisfied with the cooperation: "Together we have mastered this challenging project as project partners on an equal footing. Thanks to the constructive and trusting cooperation, we were able to react quickly to changing framework conditions. We are very satisfied with the completed plant in Freiberg. I would like to thank all UIT and AMBARtec employees for their excellent work." Storage with a capacity of 250 kWh can be supplied by AMBARtec AG as early as mid-2023, while storage with 3,000 kWh will be available from the end of 2023. Planning for projects with the HyCS standard module in a 20-feet container with a storage capacity of 20,000 kWh can already be kicked off now.

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