MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN
Powerful Growth Continues for Leading Hydrogen Tech Business
MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN
Powerful Growth Continues for Leading Hydrogen Tech Business PRODUCTION: Tommy Atkinson
The strong and consistent growth of Maximator Hydrogen is continuing from the company’s base in Nordhausen where international expansion, product portfolio development, and customer growth is all on the agenda for 2024. The company is busy moving from one project to the next, and CEO Mathias Kurras is proud of the work of this industry leader. 2 / www.energy-focus.net
Mathias Kurras, CEO
INDUSTRY FOCUS: HYDROGEN
//
At the end of 2022, Maximator Hydrogen was flying high. Energy Focus heard from CEO Mathias Kurras about the fantastic rollout, amazing innovation, and unabating ambition that the company was experiencing in its bid to become a global leader in the hydrogen technology value chain. Hydrogen is touted as the fossil fuel replacement – a fuel of the future, an abundant power of tomorrow, because of its ample availability and comparative
// THE COMPANY IS STILL ON A GROWTH PATH. WE ARE NOW MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE //
ease of deployment. We have the technology to make hydrogen effective, but the challenge is about scaling it up. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), transport remains an area where hydrogen is still almost completely absent. While there are several mandates across multiple countries, there are major opportunities for industries to be shaped by early movers. Maximator Hydrogen, established in 2019, has been growing aggressively as the energy transition has forced the automotive industry to think differently and remap its future path. The company saw the obvious opportunity in the market as traditional fuels are beginning to be phased out, but the transport eco-systems remain the same. Cars and vans will not disappear from the roads and the need to move will not diminish. A hydrogen
filling station network is obvious, and Maximator Hydrogen is leading the way. HYDROGEN AT SCALE “Our mission is to make hydrogen usable on a large scale and help infrastructure to become climate neutral. We are fuelling the future; we know that in the end there will be hydrogen,” Kurras said previously. Now, serious growth is on the agenda as Maximator Hydrogen goes from project to product, and Kurras is excited about international rollout. He tells Energy Focus that new products and new markets are helping the business to boom. “The company is still on a growth path. We are now more than 200 people. We have completed a move into our new office building and we are busy planning our own hydrogen refuelling station at our site in Nordhausen.”
OUR MISSION www.phmkg.de
We support our customers in keeping the world and our future clean, safe and a better place to live in. Through our know-how, flexibility and solution orientation, we offer our customers security in the production of complex components in a wide range of materials, sizes and quantities. From the procurement of raw materials to ready-to-install parts. We think in terms of your processes and integrate seamlessly into your workflows. Through constant investment in modern manufacturing processes and training, we offer our employees the opportunity to fully utilize their skills.
We are metal processors that work for leading global companies in the areas of renewable energy and environmental technology. Including mechanical engineering in the food, chemical, oil and gas industries and special vehicle construction. We support our customers from design creation to prototypes to the finished product, including material procurement, assembly and warehouse logistics.
Paul Henrichs KG Brinkeweg 28 33758 Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, Germany +49 5207 9933-0 Anfrage@phmkg.de
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We are the partner to transform your visions from construction to the finished solution for a sustainable future
MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN
On three hectares in Germany’s Thuringia, brand new production halls are busy creating hydrogen innovation for the filling station market around Europe and beyond. “Right now, the prototype of the 250kW compressor is in operation, and it will be the first system that will be able to refill vehicles directly. That is something which we are promoting in the market as the most energy efficient ways to refuel cars and trucks.” This ‘big brother’ of the previous MAX Compression 2.0 unit – known for its cost-effectiveness and efficiency compressing hydrogen for filling stations - this latest model can be adapted to quadruple performance, paving the way for large scale refuelling for the likes of ships and trains. The increased output also means more vehicles can be fuelled at a station
in the same period of time, with less storage required – a key hurdle when rolling out hydrogen infrastructure. PIONEERING INNOVATION At the same time, the company is also launching a new dispenser that is redefining safety for users across the industry. MAX Dispenser 1.5 is the latest generation in hydrogen dispenser and was debuted at the 2023 Hannover Messe. Launching across stations in 2024, this innovation brings a multimedia touch screen display with microphone, speaker, and NFC reader. Clear instructions can be given to users, and a service interface makes troubleshooting easy. The design of the dispenser also focuses on a new hose breakaway coupling system that prevents damage to the refuelling system
should the dispenser move away by accident. New safeguards have been added for over-pressurisation, unacceptable temperatures, and excessive mass flow or gas leakage.
MAX Dispenser 1.5 © Maximator Hydrogen
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INDUSTRY FOCUS: HYDROGEN
MAX Compression System 2.0 | © Maximator Hydrogen
Many other innovations have also been added to the MAX Dispenser 1.5 and Kurras says that this strategy of continuous improvement will endure. “We are working on more to add to this innovation,” he says, adding that the company recently partnered with the Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences to allow
students to gain practical hands-on experience while building a skilled, innovative workforce of the future. “We are setting up the prototype for the first mobile refueller and, of course, there are mobile refuellers out there but this one utilises all of the hydrogen transported, unlike a standard gas trailer that might only use 20%,”
Kurras details. “Our solution increases the range of hydrogen refuelling available. This is the next step for us, and it all plays into our plan to scale up hydrogen refuelling stations. We want to simplify stations and show that we are a product and no longer a project. We are on the route to modular station with each module having its own CE marking – easy to assemble.” The MAX Mobile Refueler has been trialled in the construction sector and, in partnership with LIEBHERR. A first prototype of the product will be going to the test phase to enable the path for refuelling on quarry projects where it is simply inefficient to have stationary hydrogen fuelling infrastructure across so many small sites, with just one or two vehicles at each. It is also extremely harmful to the environment to continue with large diesel-powered trucks and vehicles that emit significant CO2 emissions. Continues on page 8
FABER CYLINDERS: LEADER IN HIGH PRESSURE HYDROGEN STORAGE SOLUTIONS Since 1972, one of the major players in the manufacturing of high pressure gas cylinders, Faber has also been one of the pioneers of the hydrogen market with its high pressure storage solutions. The first cylinders designed and dedicated to hydrogen storage up to 1000bar date back to more than 10 years, providing Faber with a wide view of the development of the market and customer needs. Our deep focus into research and development, together with our long-time collaboration with several notified bodies and research institutes resulted in a continuous evolution of our high pressure storage solutions which are provided fully certified worldwide. Faber is now offering to the market a new family of modular systems, which combine the flexibility to meet the different needs of the customer and with a reduction of cost and delivery time. Our compact solutions can be easily moved to the installation site and allow the optimization of the available footprint, making them capable to be accommodated into a variety of different station layouts. Our modular storage family is designed to minimise all connections among the high pressure elements of the storage and each connection is carefully leak checked at the final stages of the assembly line, providing a reliable and certified product to the customer. Performance and safety are always our top priority. Ready to face the ambitious development plan of the hydrogen market and well aware of the present supply chain challenges, Faber has strengthened its collaboration with a selected range of top suppliers to be able to guarantee high quality products. At the same time, Faber is expanding its own production capabilities of assembly and testing of storage solutions, aiming to solidify its leading position in the market of high pressure hydrogen storage. If you are interested in knowing more about our hydrogen storage solutions, please contact us at: info@faber-italy.com
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The leading manufacturer of compressed Hydrogen storage solutions
Stationary systems for hydrogen storage «Medium» Pressure Buffer ● Service Pressure: 550 bar
● H2 capacity per unit from 10 kg to 135 kg ● Vertical and horizontal layout possible ● PED 2014/68/EU; ASME Sect. VIII
«High» Pressure Buffer ● Service Pressure: up to 1100 bar
● H2 capacity per unit from 15 kg to 200 kg ● Vertical and horizontal layout possible ● PED 2014/68/EU; ASME Sect. VIII
Transportable cylinders for hydrogen distribution ● Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4 cylinders
● Service Pressure from 300 bar up to 500 bar ● H2 capacity per unit from 1 kg to 11 kg
● EN 12245; EN 17339; EN 12257; ISO 11119-1
On-Board cylinders for hydrogen mobility Forklifts and material handling ● Type 1 and Type 3 cylinders at 350 bar
● H2 capacity per unit from 0.5 kg to 1.6 kg
● ISO 19881 (PED); ISO 9809 (PED); JARI S001
Cars, LCV and HDV ● Type 3 and Type 4 cylinders at 350 and 700 bar ● H2 capacity per unit from 1.2 kg to 13.6 kg
● ECE R134; EC 79/2009
info@faber-italy.com faber-italy.com
INDUSTRY FOCUS: HYDROGEN
Continued from page 6 As a trailer or vehicle-integrated system, the MAX Mobile Refueler is driven directly to the construction machine, which is then fully refuelled to 700 bar in under 15 minutes. The smallest version of the MAX Mobile Refueler weighs about 1000 kg and can refuel about 40 kg of hydrogen at 700 bar and 15°C (59°F). GLOBAL GROWTH Hydrogen fuelling stations are in place across much of Europe as this blossoming sector continues to grow. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Switzerland, and more have networks that are booming. But
// WE WANT TO SIMPLIFY STATIONS AND SHOW THAT WE ARE A PRODUCT AND NO LONGER A PROJECT //
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Sweden, Italy, Lativia, Spain, Norway, Austria, Poland, The Czech Republic, Iceland, the UK, and Estonia are among others that are in the earlier stages of deployment. This represents major opportunity for Maximator Hydrogen which can supply a comprehensive product portfolio from compressors, chillers, storage solutions, supply panels, dispensers, and all the associated equipment and expertise. The way the company will grow internationally follows a franchisetype model, where each country will have its own independent business partner that is closely tied to Maximator Hydrogen in the heart of Germany. “We are looking to open stations in Italy and Sweden. We will have various stations in Italy around Milan and another large-scale project in Sweden, of which the lion’s share of the plants will be put in place throughout 2024,” explains Kurras. “This is important for us as we look to grow our presence. We are also exploring market opportunities in France and eastern parts of Europe. At the moment, we
are getting ready to scale as we grow, and we are building a robust platform. “Maximator Hydrogen is setting up companies in various European markets to roll out at scale. It starts with installation and commissioning, and then they look at the service side before operating as their own entities and only buying the modules from Maximator Hydrogen. The teams will grow from there as the local teams know their markets best, and they will know what resources are needed to further scale in those countries.” As each territory grows in line with the development of the industry – expected to achieve growth of 47% by 2035 against 2022 – Maximator Hydrogen production capacity will also need to develop. “Longer-term, we hope to copyplot where we take our blueprint and reproduce plants across multiple sites through 2025 and 2026. We cannot look forward with anything but ambition and excitement,” states Kurras. Continues on page 10
MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN
Unlocking Hydrogen Potential: Introducing Edgar HyPro for simple and optimal planning of Hydrogen Process Chains In the dynamic energy landscape, the role of hydrogen as a clean energy source is gaining momentum. Many companies currently think about how to use hydrogen to their advantage and try to understand what it will mean for them business-wise, infrastructure-wise, and carbon footprint-wise. A new SaaS solution can help to cut through the fog in early planning stages: Edgar HyPro. It is specifically designed for decision-makers in large companies venturing into the realm of hydrogen infrastructure projects, and for consulting leaders guiding others through these uncharted waters.
NAVIGATING YOUR HYDROGEN PATH FORWARD BY PLANNING PROJECTS END-TO-END At the core, Edgar HyPro is a simulation and optimization software specifically designed as a tool to help hydrogen enthusiasts planning hydrogen infrastructure. It enables users to plan and configure all necessary steps to cover the whole process chain from H2 generation all the way to H2 usage. The software provides a vast set of data for machinery, consumption, power generation, and other relevant data. Furthermore, you can also import your own data, if available.
EMPOWERING YOUR DECISION-MAKING BASED ON PROJECT-SPECIFIC OPTIMIZATION RESULTS Based on your individual project characteristics (technical, economical, ecological), Edgar HyPro will then calculate thousands of scenarios within minutes to identify the optimal variants that meet your optimization requirements and boundary conditions. The results are presented in well-arranged dashboards and diagrams, allowing users to quickly evaluate whether the project makes sense or not. Thus, leading to a reliable, cost-effective, swift, and straightforward assessment of H2 project ideas in their early stages. Edgar HyPro thereby accelerates project decisions, reduces project planning costs, increases throughput, and minimizes decision uncertainty.
SOFTWARE FOR THE WORLD, MADE IN GERMANY The SaaS software Edgar HyPro is a product of FI Freiberg Institut GmbH (or FI for short) based in Freiberg, Germany. Established in 2016, FI builds optimization software that enables decision-makers to solve complex economic and ecological questions of the sustainable use of energy and resources with certainty, efficiency, and ease.
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INDUSTRY FOCUS: HYDROGEN
Continued from page 10
BUILDING CAPACITY Asked for the challenges facing the business and its ongoing success, Kurras says venturing into the unknown is never easy. Establishing a hydrogen
Connectors used in and approved for Hydrogen applications.
refuelling network is something that has never been done before. Much of the technology is novel, and a lot of the science is still being developed for various scale-level applications.
For Maximator Hydrogen, this means driving innovation and scale across not only the customer base but the supply chain at the same time. Kurras labels the company ‘fortunate’ for working closely with so many industry leading companies including (between others) the Schmidt Kranz Group, the Maximator Group, Vernconex, Hyfindr, Schwer, Faber Industrie, Kustec, Zovos-Eko, PHM and the Freiberg Institute (with the software partner Edgar). Edgar for example is an important sparring partner for us in driving forward the scaling up and standardization of our product range. We are learning to understand our customers’ needs better and can therefore also make significant progress at an international level. “The development of the supply chain is ongoing and we are constantly trying to deepen relationships,” he
HYDROGEN FITTINGS
Fittings approved to
EC79 www.schwer.com 10 / www.energy-focus.net
MAXIMATOR HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN - COOLING - POWER for all hydrogen refuelling stations globally
KUSTEC supplied more than 350 hydrogen cooling systems for HRS. Global presence. Worldwide partners.
KUSTEC Kälte- und Systemtechnik GmbH
Strassfeld 5 - 3441 Freundorf - Austria - T +43 2274 44109 - E office@kustec.at - www.kustec.at
says. “We are talking to the supply chain intensely about new models for various markets including the US. We want to bring our teams closer with our suppliers and that is why we held our Suppliers’ Day in 2023, to see what they need to grow with us and show them what we are doing. We want them to see what we are doing and how we are growing so that they know what they are stepping into with us.
// WE WILL HAVE VARIOUS STATIONS IN ITALY AROUND MILAN AND ANOTHER LARGESCALE PROJECT IN SWEDEN //
“We have onboarded some new suppliers across the dispenser product, from display and software to design and engineering. We are always looking for innovative new players to help us grow and to develop the H2 world together as partner at eye level.” There is obvious appetite in the market, both because of incoming net zero targets for industries and countries, but also because people buy into the idea of using cleaner fuels to power life and progress. In November 2023, Maximator Hydrogen partnered with the Weimar city bus service to rollout a new hydrogen filling station as part of a pioneering transport project. Now, the city has three hydrogen powered buses in operation, removing emissions from the system. Even on the more challenging routes, where elevation is
a problem, the buses cope well and are perfectly suited to hydrogen power. Maximator Hydrogen supplies the systems for refuelling and is proven with a safety record of excellence across 50 systems and over 100,000 successful refuelling operations. “We see that as a success story,” Kurras concludes. Next is to rollout in more locations, further prove safety, and yet again demonstrate hydrogen’s ability to add to the energy mix in a non-disruptive way. Currently, there are few better examples than the work being done by the team at Maximator Hydrogen.
MAXIMATOR-HYDROGEN.DE
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January 2024
www.energy-focus.net
Electrifying UK’s Largest Lease Fleet in Under a Decade Exclusive interview with Andrew Miller, CEO at Motability Operations ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
UK Radiators / Maximator Hydrogen / Diffusion Alloys / Hydrovolve
A S F E AT U R E D I N
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JA N U A RY 2024