Safety concept of the solar hydrogen demonstration plant at Neunburg vorm Wald, Germany

At the Neunburg vorm Wald solar hydrogen facility, the electrical energy of photo-voltaically generated electricity is converted into chemical energy in the form of hydrogen, which is stored to be used subsequently for generation of power and heat. Concerning hydrogen, the facility contains three different types of water electrolyzers, catalytic and conventional advanced heating boilers, a catalytically heated absorption-type refigeration unit and three different fuel cell plants for stationary and mobile application. The facility also comprises a outdoor filling station, at which various systems for fuelling vehicles with liquid hydrogen are undergoing testing, and a indoor filling station for compressed hydrogen. To counteract the hazards arising in connection with the storage and use of hydrogen, structural precautions were taken in construction of the plant systems and buildings and these are supplemented by appropriate monitoring and safety systems as well as operating procedures.