GP Joule and H2 Saar make airport energetically fit

06.06.2025

Source: E & M powernews

GP Joule and H2 Saar want to help Saarbrücken Airport achieve a sustainable energy supply with a concept that includes solar power, hydrogen and waste heat.

Saarbrücken Airport is to receive a largely climate-neutral energy supply based on solar power, hydrogen technology and waste heat utilization. The project is being developed by GP Joule GmbH in cooperation with the state-owned hydrogen agency H2 Saar GmbH. The aim is to achieve a largely climate-neutral energy supply for the airport.

Repowering is planned for the existing photovoltaic systems. In future, a 3 MW electrolyzer will use surplus solar power to produce around 300 tons of green hydrogen per year. This could be used to refuel 27 fuel cell buses every day, according to a press release from GP Joule.

These are key elements of the new sustainable energy concept for the airport in Saarbrücken, which the energy service provider GP Joule from Reußenköge in Schleswig-Holstein and the Saarland hydrogen agency H2 Saar have jointly developed.

In addition, the waste heat generated during electrolysis is to be fed into the airport's heating network. In addition, the project partners recommend that locally produced hydrogen that is not required at the airport could also be marketed locally in order to promote the development of a regional hydrogen economy. Finally, the demand for renewable electricity is to be secured via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

The new energy concept from GP Joule and H2 Saar not only helps to optimize the airport's environmental footprint, but also contributes to improved profitability in the long term, explains Thomas Schuck, Managing Director of Saarbrücken Airport.

Author: Fritz Wilhelm