Proton Motor Fuel Cell has been producing hydrogen fuel cells since 1998, making it one of the first companies on the market. In an exclusive interview with the special interest magazine H2News, Manfred Limbrunner, working for Proton Motor since 2000, reports on current trends in the hydrogen economy, the challenges facing medium-sized companies and his expectations for the next few years. Here is a selection of questions, for full length of the interview from summer 2024 (only in German available) see buttons below.
H2News: To date, it seems unclear in which segment the market for hydrogen technologies will first experience noticeable growth. How do you perceive that?
Limbrunner: In recent years, there have been increasing indications that the stationary market can be the first to get off the ground. There are several reasons for this, including being less dependent on the large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or on a nationwide filling station infrastructure. We are receiving more and more inquiries from the stationary segment, but mobility is currently being promoted politically.
H2News: What makes stationary fuel cells so suitable for an early market ramp-up?
Limbrunner: As emergency power systems, they are relatively independent of hydrogen logistics and supply, because they are only put into operation in an emergency. Their other use case is decentralised, local energy storage. The fuel cells are part of a decentralised system consisting of electrolyser, hydrogen storage and fuel cell. The principle is simple: During peak load periods, surplus renewable energy is converted into hydrogen via an electrolyser and stored in a hydrogen storage system. If necessary, a fuel cell can then convert them back into electricity at any time. At the same time, the waste heat from the electrolyser and fuel cell can be used.