Renewable energy company Axpo is collaborating with the H2Uri company to establish a green hydrogen plant at Bürglen in Switzerland that will power the first hydrogen passenger vessel on Lake Lucerne.
Swiss shipbuilder Shiptec is responsible for the planning, authorization and conversion of the vessel, which belongs to the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV). Once hydrogen production commences in 2025, SGV will operate the vessel. EWA-energieUri and AVIA Schätzle are also contributing to the project.
Preparatory work at the Bürglen hydropower plant for the hydrogen production plant has begun; commissioning is planned for the beginning of 2025. When in operation, the facility on the EWA-energie Uri site in Bürglen will produce up to 260 metric tons of green hydrogen a year and have a capacity of 2MW. This project comes as Axpo nears completion of the country’s largest green hydrogen plant at the Reichenau hydropower plant in Domat/Ems.
Stefan Schulthess, managing director of SGV, said, “Conversion of the MS Saphir to a hydrogen fuel cell system will be completed by autumn 2025. This will enable us to reduce CO2 emissions.” The project is supported by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Transport (FOT).
Christoph Brand, CEO of Axpo, said, “Even if hydrogen is still a young technology the project shows that there is also potential for the targeted use of green hydrogen in Switzerland. Thanks to our local roots and expertise in renewable energies, we can do pioneering work here.”
Werner Jauch, EWA-energieUri CEO and chairman of the board of directors of H2Uri, said, “In order to secure this innovative project on a broader basis, we’re delighted to welcome two additional partners in Axpo and SGV. They both have valuable expertise and exciting sales channels.”
Alexander Streitzig, executive board member, AVIA Schätzle, said, “A hydrogen refueling station is also planned in Uri and the company is looking forward to expanding its energy source portfolio with green hydrogen.”
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