In June 2021, the climate-neutral "Neue Weststadt Esslingen" quarter with 450 apartments, offices and commercial space was officially inaugurated. Photovoltaic systems and green hydrogen are central elements of the energy supply of the nationwide showcase neighborhood. Now those involved in the project have received the Steinbeis Foundation Transfer Award. The prize is awarded for outstanding achievements that advance entrepreneurial knowledge and technology transfer. Among the award winners is the innBW institute Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW).
At the heart of the neighborhood's energy supply on the site of the freight station is a hydrogen electrolyzer developed by ZSW with an electrical output of 1,000 kilowatts. The electricity used for hydrogen production comes from the photovoltaic systems installed on the roofs of the buildings as well as primarily from generation plants outside that supply surplus renewable electricity via the public power grid. Waste heat from the electrolyzer is used to cover about half of the heating needs of the residential and commercial spaces and the university via a local heating network. "For us, this award is a nice confirmation of our electrolysis research and system concept development. We can see here how the key technology of electrolysis can be applied in a neighborhood," says Andreas Brinner of the ZSW, who is helping to supervise the project.
The "Climate-neutral urban quarter - Neue Weststadt Esslingen" project was funded as part of the "Solar construction/energy-efficient city" initiative by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the German Ministry for Research and Education with around twelve million euros.
About the ZSW:
The Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) is one of the leading institutes for applied research in the fields of photovoltaics, renewable fuels, battery technology and fuel cells, as well as energy system analysis. Around 300 scientists, engineers and technicians are currently employed at the three ZSW sites in Stuttgart, Ulm and Widderstall. In addition, there are 100 scientific and student assistants.
