Energy source and economic engine
Bremerhaven has already established extensive scientific expertise in the field of "green" hydrogen, spanning nearly all local research institutions and companies. Over recent years, a wide range of project experience has been gained, for example in the production of green hydrogen from wind power and the deployment of hydrogen-powered buses in urban transport.
These activities create new applications and business opportunities for local companies, while making Bremerhaven an attractive location for Green Economy ventures from outside the region. The BIS contributes to this development through its Regional Hydrogen Management, supporting the establishment of a hydrogen economy in Bremerhaven. The city’s activities are coordinated and integrated to ensure a unified approach.
A competence center for hydrogen applications has been established in Bremerhaven on the basis of scientific expertise and know-how in hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
The focus here is on mobile applications on land and at sea with expertise along the entire value chain. The players are in constant exchange.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or cooperation opportunities.
The Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven (HLB) focuses on the innovative combination of wind turbines and electrolytic hydrogen production in order to meet the challenges of decentralized power grids, particularly in the area of offshore wind farms. Funded by the state of Bremen and the EU, the HLB is testing electrolysers with a total output of up to 10 MW on ten test fields, which are supported by an 8 MW wind turbine installed on site. Another focus is the promotion of a local hydrogen economy through the integration of hydrogen production, storage and use, including applications in the food industry and the production of synthetic natural gas.
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The use of hydrogen as a propulsion system, particularly in mobility, logistics and shipping, shows a discrepancy between public communication and current feasibility.
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The technology of seawater electrolysis is forward-looking. It contributes to a more cost-effective and energy-efficient production of hydrogen, particularly at coastal locations, on islands, in offshore wind farms and on offshore platforms.
Learn moreThe Hanseatic Hydrogen Center for Aviation and Maritime (H2AM) aims to establish testing capacities for the development of hydrogen and fuel cell–based propulsion applications for aircraft and ships at its Northern German locations in Bremen/Bremerhaven, Hamburg, and Stade. The center also facilitates associated research and development activities in these fields.
H2AM evolved from the working title of the Innovation and Technology Center for Hydrogen Technologies (ITZ) and represents an initiative launched in June 2020 as part of the Northern German Hydrogen Strategy, initiated by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV).
In Bremerhaven, the H2-3D Test Facility (also known as the Wave Simulation Platform) is being developed to provide infrastructure for testing hydrogen components and complete systems suitable for maritime applications in a three-dimensional environment.
The H2-3D Test Facility, together with the specialized expertise of ttz Bremerhaven, is designed to support companies active in the shipbuilding sector—particularly suppliers—in the development, testing, and validation of hydrogen and fuel cell–based components and propulsion systems for seagoing vessels. The testing infrastructure is especially intended for use by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups in Germany within the framework of research and development projects. It aims to help them bring innovative ideas and technologies to the international market and thereby contribute to Germany’s technological leadership in the hydrogen sector.
Funding Authority: Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV)
Total Project Volume: €12 million
Project Duration: 2025–2029
In addition to the H2-3D test facility (“sea state simulator”), further construction phases are planned to establish a comprehensive test center for hydrogen-powered mobility applications. Planned facilities include a chassis dynamometer for commercial vehicles, a climate chamber, and a hydrogen technology facility (including outdoor areas and test tracks), as well as office and training spaces.
The test center is to be built on the premises of the former Luneort airfield, adjacent to the Fraunhofer IWES Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven. This proximity will allow for the consolidation of testing infrastructures and contribute to the further development of a regional competence center.
In the initial phase, planning funds have been approved for service phases 1–3, covering the design and equipment of the test center as well as the associated outdoor facilities.
Funding Institution: State of Bremen
Project Volume: €1.29 million
Duration: 2023 – 2025
The project aims to develop and establish a demonstration-scale facility for the production of synthetic (“green”) methanol in Bremerhaven, with the direct use of this fuel on the newly built research vessel Uthörn operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute. The ship is equipped with two diesel engines converted for methanol combustion and was commissioned in 2023.
In addition to the consortium coordinator ttz Bremerhaven, the funded partners include the Alfred Wegener Institute – Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), and UTG Unabhängige Tanklogistik GmbH.
Funding Institution: Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV)
Project Volume: €6.87 million
Duration: 2023 – 2026
Under the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES), research is being conducted on the direct electrolysis of seawater and brackish water for hydrogen production. The objective is to enable electrolysis using untreated water without prior purification.
In addition to the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES), the project partners include the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), the Technical University of Berlin, and Eisenhuth GmbH & Co. KG.
Funding Institution: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Project Volume: €3.7 million
Duration: 2022 – 2025
The flagship project H2Mare focuses on the offshore production of green hydrogen and other power-to-X products, leveraging the fact that offshore wind turbines generate significantly more consistent and higher amounts of electricity than onshore systems.
Within this project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES) aims to utilize the waste heat generated during electrolysis for seawater desalination. The purified water is required for offshore hydrogen production, thereby increasing overall system efficiency. To support this work, a dedicated test infrastructure is being established at the Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven. In addition, the entire value chain—from wind energy conversion to electricity generation and hydrogen production—is being simulated.
Funding Institution: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Project Volume: €2.05 million
Duration: 2021 – 2025
The use of hydrogen as a propulsion energy source—particularly in mobility, logistics, and maritime transport—still faces a gap between public expectations and current technological feasibility. Research, development, and testing in this field are therefore urgently required to enable the sustainable and economically viable production and use of hydrogen.
With its extensive expertise in mobility, logistics, and maritime industries, Bremerhaven offers ideal conditions for testing hydrogen-powered vehicle prototypes. The city is planning to establish an infrastructure for long-term testing under real-world conditions. This will include laboratories, workshops, a technology center for demonstration plants, as well as test benches and measurement systems. Existing vehicle workshops and shipyards will be converted for the maintenance of prototypes. In addition, software tools for system simulation will support product development and system integration.
The test region will sustainably promote the development of components and systems for mobile hydrogen applications up to market readiness. It will play a key role in accelerating the scale-up of hydrogen technologies in Germany and in strengthening both system suppliers and the component manufacturing industry.
Since January 2023, the Bremerhavener Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (Bremerhaven Bus) has been operating three fuel cell solo buses in regular public service. The fleet was expanded in summer 2023 with four additional solo buses, and in 2025, three articulated fuel cell buses were added. All ten vehicles are fueled with green hydrogen produced locally in Bremerhaven.
The project is supported through the Hyways for Future initiative.
Since 2025, Bremerhaven has been home to its first public hydrogen refueling station, located in close proximity to Bremerhavener Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH and easily accessible via the A27 motorway exit Bremerhaven-Mitte. The station operates using locally produced green hydrogen generated from wind energy in Bremerhaven and is designed to refuel buses, trucks, and passenger cars.
HY.City.Bremerhaven GmbH & Co. KG produces green hydrogen within the city area using an electrolysis plant with a capacity of up to 2 MW. The hydrogen is supplied to the refueling station via a trailer exchange system.
The project is supported through the Hyways for Future initiative.
Research, development and innovation projects in hydrogen and fuel cell technology are interdisciplinary and directly linked to renewable energies and sector coupling. The various federal ministries offer funding programs with different priorities. The classification of projects within the funding framework must be specifically coordinated in each case.
NOW GmbH, on behalf of the German Federal Government, drives the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies as well as e-mobility. Its core responsibilities include coordinating and managing the National Innovation Program (NIP), supporting and overseeing funded projects from initiation to completion, and promoting research, development, and public acceptance of these technologies.
Almost all funding programs of the state of Bremen and BIS are not focused on hydrogen and fuel cells or the energy transition. In principle, all investment, innovation and environmental funding programs can be used for hydrogen projects.
Additional funding opportunities are provided by the Federal Government’s “Research and Innovation” funding advisory service.
The H2BX association focuses on providing information on the topic of hydrogen and acts as an independent network in Bremerhaven and the region. The association aims to communicate and present the enormous potential of hydrogen to people, companies, institutions and all parties interested in the topic.
h2bx.deLeading industry association and nationwide contact for the offshore wind industry, the onshore network in the northwest and promoter of the production of "green" hydrogen from wind power.
wab.netThe Center for Lifelong Learning is an academic institute at the University of Oldenburg dedicated to advancing professional and continuing education. Its mission encompasses the research and development of educational innovations, the delivery of flexible professional learning opportunities, and the promotion of lifelong learning within and beyond the university.
C3LIt is a globally unique world of knowledge and experience on the topics of climate, climate change and weather and is a global pioneer as a climate experience world. The Klimahaus operates central climate and sustainability communication and will raise awareness of climate protection and the energy transition even more in future with new offers.
klimahaus-bremerhaven.deWind energy and hydrogen expertise come together: Increased availability of renewable energies and an efficient power grid of the future.
iwes.fraunhofer.deScientists are exploring the Arctic, Antarctic and the coasts and seas of temperate latitudes. The innovative research vessel "Uthörn" with a low-emission methanol propulsion system is used for this purpose.
awi.deDevelopers for hydrogen applications and mobility experts.
hs-bremerhaven.deAs a network, Pier der Wissenschaft unites scientific and cultural institutions in the city of Bremerhaven. Together they pursue the goal of making the different scientific work fields in Bremerhaven more visible while also emphazing their great importance. In addition to events, networking and cooperation projects, a blog is being operated.
stadtmarketing-bremerhaven.deSince 2025, ten hydrogen-powered buses have been operating in Bremerhaven’s public transport network — seven standard buses and three articulated buses. Their zero-emission operation is ensured by the use of green hydrogen, which is produced locally in Bremerhaven using wind energy.
bremerhavenbus.deThe future use of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in deep-freeze truck transportation is being pursued.
bruessel-maass.deAmbitious provider of engineering and production services for hydrogen technology, a sensible future market.
enpro-bhv.deLaunch the world's first permanent hydrogen train service in summer 2022 with the Coradia iLint hydrogen train.
evb-elbe-weser.deSince 2025, an electrolysis plant with a capacity of up to 2 megawatts and a hydrogen filling station in the immediate vicinity of the Bremerhaven Bus ensure the supply of fuel cell buses for regular services.
efarm.nfThe logistics and transport service provider has been focusing on environmentally friendly vehicles for years and is following the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in the heavy-duty sector. Since 2024, the company operates three fully electric trucks in practical service.
glomb.comWithin the HYDAC group, the Bremerhaven site focuses on the development and production of hydrogen solutions.
kraeft-systemtechnik.deAs a specialist in the production of industrial trucks for the transportation of heavy payloads, the company is planning to switch to alternative drive systems using fuel cells and hydrogen.
mt-technology.deThe decarbonization of ceramic production is a necessary step toward the “Green Tile.” In the transition from natural gas-powered to electrically powered kilns, hydrogen serves as a potential bridging technology.
Deutsche Steinzeug Solar Ceramics GmbHHydrogen for storing renewable energy and use in particularly energy-intensive industries or in the transport sector. The pilot project is supplying the Bremen steelworks with green hydrogen.
swb.deThe Weser ferry and MS Geestemünde already run on GtL as a transitional solution to CO2-neutral drives. Hydrogen and its derivatives, such as methanol and ammonia, are a key component in achieving the shipping industry’s climate targets.
weserfaehre.deBremen’s port locations are expected to achieve climate neutrality by 2035. Key initiatives supporting this goal include the Climate-Neutral Overseas Port and the Fisheries Port Climate Cooperation. In addition, new import and export capacities for energy are to be established, along with new bunkering facilities for alternative marine fuels.
bremenports.de
Dr. Saskia Greiner
