Advancements in Hydrogen Cooling Technology

Lauda Joins EU research project to advance hydrogen fuelling for heavy-duty sector

Lauda, the global leader in temperature control technology, is participating in the Horizon Europe-funded research project RHeaDHy. The project aims to develop innovative, high-performance solutions for faster hydrogen refuelling in heavy-duty applications. With the European Union contributing almost €4 million in funding, the project's ultimate goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from freight transport using hydrogen-powered vehicles. To achieve this, refuelling trucks and similar vehicles with 100 kg of hydrogen within ten minutes is targeted, requiring high-pressure refuelling that generates significant heat. Lauda, as part of a consortium of European partners, will develop a high-performance cooling system to address this challenge. The project is expected to run until early 2027, with near-series technology available for installation at two locations in Germany and France.

Lauda has been a strong partner to hydrogen refuelling station producers and operators since 2015, delivering numerous systems to industry leaders. These include SUK 350 L process cooling units for hydrogen cooling during refuelling, and the Ultracool line circulation chillers for electrolyser cooling during hydrogen production, both of which are produced in large quantities. With a forecast of around 3,000 additional hydrogen refuelling stations by 2030 in Europe, Lauda is preparing to significantly expand its production capacities to meet the growing demand. The Ultracool series has already been redeveloped to be more compact, powerful, and energy-efficient, with several new models set to be launched later this year. The Ultracool product line, which is produced serially, can cover cooling capacities of up to 240 kW.

Through the RHeaDHy project, Lauda reaffirms its expertise in the field of hydrogen cooling, and its commitment to innovation and development towards a sustainable future.

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