Hydrogen is going to play a role in the energy mix of the future. Also for heating homes. Nefit Bosch is convinced of that. But before hydrogen boilers roll off the assembly line in series, extensive testing is required. This is why Nefit Bosch is building a new, international hydrogen test center in Deventer next year. The official start of the conversion took place recently.
Hydrogen plays a crucial role in storing and transporting surplus wind and solar energy. It can then be converted back into energy or heat without CO2 emissions. The deployment of hydrogen-fueled systems is therefore an essential part of the future energy mix. With the realization of the hydrogen center in Deventer, Nefit Bosch is anticipating this development. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Testing
The center will be used to test hydrogen applications for heating buildings, among other things. Nefit Bosch has already developed a hydrogen boiler that can replace current natural gas boilers one-to-one. Before mass production is an issue, the devices undergo extensive endurance testing. This involves simulating the entire lifetime of the boiler over about two years. This is necessary to ensure that the hydrogen appliances are as reliable and safe as the current generation of natural gas boilers. In addition to hydrogen, the new lab will soon be able to conduct tests with all other types of gas, including biogas.
Electrolysers
Bosch wants to claim a prominent role in the creation of the "hydrogen economy. Various divisions of Bosch have been working for years on the further development of hydrogen. For example, more than 3,000 people are already working on hydrogen technologies and the company is investing another 2.5 billion euros in hydrogen over the next three years. In the Netherlands, in addition to hydrogen boilers, Bosch will also develop and produce crucial components for electrolysers.
