Future topics such as the transformation of the economy, modern mobility solutions and the energy transition go hand in hand with innovative hydrogen applications. The hydrogen bus roadshow brought together 40 experts from companies, universities and politics and gave them an insight into the region's potential. The federally funded TeamMit project, which is part of Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen, organised this event in cooperation with the Gießen-Friedberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The aim was to network stakeholders in the regional hydrogen landscape in Central Hessen. In addition, companies from the hydrogen sector based in the region - from established SMEs to up-and-coming international companies - were able to present their technologies.
Starting signal at Central Hessen's first hydrogen refuelling station
The event started in the early afternoon at the CE hydrogen refuelling station on Schiffenberger Weg in Giessen. Here, Manfred Felske-Zech, Head of the Office for Economic Development Tourism Climate Protection in the district of Giessen, opened the roadshow and gave an insight into the district's hydrogen learning workshop. The group then began their journey through Central Hessen in the modern hydrogen bus by Weber Verkehrsbetriebe.
Lectures on the bus: Insights into the lifespan of a hydrogen molecule
The participants received their first specialised information during the trip. Dirk Fischer from the company Argo-Anleg gave a presentation on the "Path of a hydrogen molecule" during the trip and illustrated the use of hydrogen in industry and mobility - from the production process through to utilisation.
First stop: Roth Industries in Dautphetal - from industrial to satellite applications
The first stop was Roth Industries in Dautphetal. The family-owned company with over 1,400 employees is a leader in the fields of energy and environmental technology, composite materials and hydraulic technology. The company is particularly innovative in the field of hydrogen: Roth produces special machines and systems for the production of high-pressure tanks designed for pressures of over 1,000 bar. Applications range from series production in the mobility sector to special applications in satellite engines. Dr Anne-Kathrin Roth, COO (Chief Operating Officer) for the Sanitary and Environmental Systems divisions, welcomed the participants and introduced the family-owned company. Sascha Allissat, Managing Director of Roth Werke GmbH, and Rouven Weg, Sales and Project Manager at Roth Composite Machinery, presented the hydrogen activities and developments in the field of filament winding technology. After a tour of the plant, the group set off for the second stop.
On the road: Insights into wind power and hydrogen from ABO Energy
On the onward journey to ITM Power Germany GmbH in Linden, Gesa Mosch and Thomas Nietsch from ABO Energy GmbH & Co. KGaA gave a presentation on linking wind power and hydrogen. They explained how green hydrogen can be used as an energy storage medium for wind turbines, thus helping to stabilise energy consumption.
Second stop: ITM Power Germany in Linden - Market-leading company, innovative technology
Calum McConnell, Managing Director of ITM Power, welcomed the guests in Linden. ITM develops and produces electrolysers to generate hydrogen. The British company relocated its site in Germany to Linden in 2023 to create a regional centre in the heart of the EU. Mr McConnell presented the ITM Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology and explained the membrane technology specially developed by ITM, which significantly increases the longevity and efficiency of the electrolyser.
Among other things, the site in Linden will support the two largest electrolysis projects in the world - 200 MW with RWE in Lingen and 100 MW with Shell Germany in Wesseling - during the entire construction and operating phase.
Return to the CE petrol station in Giessen - final exchange and perspectives
The tour ended in the evening at the CE-Station hydrogen refuelling station on Schiffenberger Weg in Giessen. There, Frank Roth, owner of the refuelling station, introduced it to the group and explained the technical details and functionality of the hydrogen refuelling station.
Feedback and outlook for the next Roadshow 2025
The roadshow was considered a success by the participants. Dominic-Klaus Diessner, Project Manager at Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen, emphasised the importance of networking: "The roadshow impressively demonstrates how innovative and diverse the hydrogen landscape in Central Hessen is. The contacts and new opportunities for cooperation that have arisen from this exchange among the participants are particularly valuable." Janis Milde, Innovation Transfer Officer at IHK Hessen Innovativ, also saw the roadshow as a great added value for the region: "The event offered exciting insights into current developments and showed that Central Hessen already making an important contribution to hydrogen technology." Due to the positive feedback from the participants
"Such encounters are important for an intensive exchange of ideas", a second edition is already being considered for next year in order to offer other companies and innovative start-ups a platform.
About the organisers
The "Hydrogen in Central Hesse" roadshow was organised by the Central Hesse Regional Management and supported by the Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce as part of the federally funded TeamMit transformation network project. Both institutions are committed to promoting forward-looking technologies and sustainable
The roadshow provides a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and networking in the hydrogen industry in Central Hessen.