- The energy company Axpo has opened the largest Swiss plant for green hydrogen in Domat/Ems in Graubünden.
- It produces up to 350 tons of hydrogen annually and uses electricity from the Reichenau hydroelectric power plant.
According to Axpo, the system can save 1.5 million liters of diesel fuel per year. This makes it the largest plant in Switzerland for the production of CO₂-neutral hydrogen. With its direct connection to a river hydroelectric power plant, the plant produces climate-neutrally after around a year of construction.
“The entire hydrogen economy is developing. The technology has actually been around for a long time, but the economic models are still relatively unclear,” said Axpo Managing Director Christoph Brand during the opening of the facility in Domat/Ems. The cooperation with the municipality and canton is running smoothly and there have been no objections to the construction of the project.
Legend:
View of the hydrogen plant of the energy company Axpo, taken on April 26, 2024 in Domat/Ems.
KEYSTONE/Gian Ehrenzeller
Axpo does not sell its hydrogen itself, but sells it to wholesalers. A few kilometers further in Chur is the only hydrogen filling station in the canton of Graubünden for cars and trucks. The operator Coop is interested in the new local hydrogen.
But unfortunately business is not yet going well, admits Beat Hirschi, Head of Mineral Oil Technology at Coop. And provides reasons for this: “When hydrogen mobility emerged in Switzerland, the last energy crisis was just beginning. Prices rose massively, there were a lot of declines in vehicles and people became more cautious.
Axpo wants to advance hydrogen projects
According to Axpo, green hydrogen is one of the most important climate-friendly energy sources, especially in the areas of industry and mobility, and is a central piece of the puzzle in the course of decarbonization. The inclusion of hydrogen in the energy mix is likely to play an increasingly important role in future security of supply.
Accordingly, Christoph Brand emphasized that they want to further advance hydrogen technologies. Together with the shipping company of Lake Lucerne, the energy company is planning the first passenger ship powered by green hydrogen from Axpo. They are also participating in hydrogen projects in France and Italy.