Bosch Highlights Hydrogen Production at Hannover Messe 2025
International customer orders of some 100 megawatts even before official sales launch; Bosch’s excellence ensures scalability of hydrogen production.
Across industries like chemicals, transportation, steel, and energy, hydrogen presents significant potential to drive decarbonization—especially when it’s produced from renewable energy sources. Despite recent delays in the global hydrogen market rollout, Bosch sees electrolysis as a high-growth opportunity. By 2030, global electrolyzer capacity is projected to reach between 100 and 170 gigawatts. At Hannover Messe, Bosch is making its official entry into this promising space by unveiling cutting-edge electrolyzer technology. The highlight: two Hybrion proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis stacks, showcased in a modular container setup integrated into a full-scale electrolysis system. The complete setup, delivering 2.5 megawatts of power, is being supplied by FEST, headquartered in Goslar, Germany.
“To counter climate change, we need alternatives to fossil fuels. Green hydrogen, produced with renewable energy, will play a vital role in massively reducing carbon emissions in the industrial, transport, and energy sectors. Producing this hydrogen requires electrolysis systems – and Bosch’s Hybrion stack is the key component for them,” says Dr. Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH.
Leveraging Fuel Cell Expertise for Scalable Hydrogen Production
Bosch is strategically applying its deep fuel-cell know-how to hydrogen generation. With its established mass production capabilities, the company aims to drive down costs and scale up hydrogen output. Plans for 2025 include several collaborative projects across Europe. Impressively, even before officially launching sales in April, Bosch secured pre-orders totalling around 100 megawatts. Among these, Neuman & Esser will deploy 16 Hybrion stacks in a 20-megawatt electrolyzer. Bosch is also partnering with a broad network of companies including AKA Energy Systems, Andritz, Pietro Fiorentini, Hyter, H2B2, iGas, IMI, Nikkiso, and Técnicas Reunidas.
“Hydrogen is a strategic growth field for Bosch – we expect sales revenue to run into the billions by 2030,” says Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the board of management and chairman of Bosch Mobility.
High-Performance Electrolysis Technology Made in Germany
Production of the Hybrion stacks will begin at Bosch’s Bamberg facility. Each unit houses more than 100 electrolysis cells layered together, and Bosch has engineered a specialized clamping tool to streamline the manufacturing process. Each stack can output up to 23 kilograms of hydrogen per hour, drawing a peak power input of 1.25 megawatts. That’s enough fuel to propel a 40-ton hydrogen-powered truck for approximately 250–300 kilometres. Inside each electrolysis cell, a polymer-based membrane separates the anode from the cathode. Ultrapure water enters on the anode side and, under an electric current, splits into oxygen, electrons, and protons. These protons pass through the membrane and combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas on the cathode side. Hybrion stacks can be deployed in modular plants starting at 1 megawatt and scale up to support industrial-level gigawatt applications.
A Closed Hydrogen Loop at the Bamberg Plant
In 2025, a FEST electrolyzer equipped with Bosch PEM stacks will begin operating at the Bamberg site, forming part of a closed hydrogen production and utilization cycle. The hydrogen generated will be used internally to run endurance tests on mobile fuel-cell stacks—also produced in Bamberg. The energy generated during these tests will be fed back into the electrolyzer, creating a sustainable, circular hydrogen system.
Bosch's End-to-End Hydrogen Ecosystem
Initially, the hydrogen produced will serve Bosch’s internal operations. Beyond electrolyzer stacks, Bosch Manufacturing Solutions offers specialized water treatment systems essential for electrolysis. These systems rely on thermal and electrochemical methods to purify water by removing salts, metals, and other contaminants. Additionally, Bosch is actively developing hydrogen-powered mobility solutions, including mobile fuel cells and hydrogen engines. In collaboration with FirstElement Fuel—the leading operator of liquid hydrogen refuelling stations in the U.S.—Bosch Rexroth has reached a key innovation milestone.
Cutting Costs and Time with CryoPump Refuelling Stations
“In developing hydrogen technologies, Bosch also relies on its proven expertise in industrial technology. We offer solutions from industry for industry,” says Dr. Tanja Rueckert, member of the Bosch board of management.
Bosch’s new CryoPump hydrogen stations are designed to make hydrogen refuelling more efficient and economical. These stations can reduce operational costs by up to 70% while cutting refuelling time for heavy-duty trucks to just about ten minutes. This leap in technology is set to make hydrogen an increasingly practical option for commercial transportation.
Comments