Pilot project H2Direkt becomes H2Dahoam

12.06.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The Upper Bavarian municipality of Hohenwart continues to use hydrogen for heating. The H2Direkt project continues under the name H2Dahoam - with local production in future.

The market town of Hohenwart in the Upper Bavarian district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm will continue to supply households and a commercial building with pure hydrogen for heating. The project partners Energie Südbayern (ESB), Energienetze Bayern and Thüga want to continue the previously limited pilot project H2Direkt under the new name "H2Dahoam". In future, they want to produce the required hydrogen directly on site and with zero emissions.

The partners launched the "H2Direkt" project in October 2023 (we reported)(we reported). They converted ten private households and one commercial enterprise from natural gas to 100 percent hydrogen. The conversion was carried out using the existing natural gas network, which the project managers had adapted. The green fuel was initially delivered to Hohenwart by trailer, as hydrogen production was not yet available locally. As early as February last year, it became clear that the model also works in winter conditions. As reported, the load test over the heating season was successful: the technology provided reliable heat and the users were also consistently positive about the changeover.

The project partners are now planning the next step, as Marcus Böske, CEO of ESB, explains: "With H2Dahoam, we are bringing hydrogen production directly to Hohenwart." As a regional energy supplier, ESB wants to take responsibility and implement sustainable concepts in practice. The Hohenwart municipal council has already passed a unanimous resolution to this effect. The municipality now wants to draw up a development plan for a hydrogen production plant that will supply green hydrogen locally in the future.

Not just a demo project, but real practical application

Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) welcomed the continuation of the project, according to a statement from his ministry. "Heating with 100 percent hydrogen works. The participants in Hohenwart have shown that," Aiwanger was quoted as saying. The conversion to hydrogen is particularly interesting for existing buildings in older town centers, as it is possible without major structural alterations. "If hydrogen is available cheaply enough, we can use it across the board," explains the politician.

The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space is funding the project. The project sponsors emphasize that H2Dahoam is not just a demonstration project, but a real practical application. With the Hohenwarter network, they are showing that existing gas infrastructure can be used for a climate-neutral hydrogen-based heat supply - without laying new pipes or costly conversions to heating appliances.

According to the partners, the planned local production should also make operations less dependent on logistics. In the future, the participants in Hohenwart want to show that a completely green and decentralized hydrogen supply is possible in rural areas. The project is intended to serve as a blueprint for other regions.

Author: Davina Spohn