The Lübben pilot developed and tested an energy-cell model to support public authorities in planning hydrogen-ready regional infrastructure.
An energy cell represented the smallest territorial unit of an integrated, sector-coupled energy system. It connected local energy production, infrastructure, storage and consumption while making use of available regional resources.
How the model worked
The pilot combined:
- GIS-based spatial information;
- regional energy data;
- renewable-energy potential;
- hydrogen production and demand;
- transport and distribution infrastructure;
- mobile and stationary hydrogen applications; and
- energy-system modelling.
Real data from a typical medium-sized region were used to examine how hydrogen could be integrated into a wider energy system.
Practical output
Working with energy-modelling experts and project developers, the pilot contributed to an open-source planning-tool prototype. The tool supported analysis of hydrogen projects and related infrastructure and was made publicly accessible through the open-plan platform.
Lessons for other regions
The pilot demonstrated that hydrogen infrastructure should not be planned separately from the rest of the energy system. Decisions on production and distribution needed to consider renewable-energy availability, expected demand, storage and links between electricity, heat, transport and industry.
The approach also showed the value of:
- using territorial data to compare development scenarios;
- testing assumptions with real regional information;
- making planning methods transparent through open-source tools; and
- creating adaptable models rather than prescribing an identical solution for every region.
The Lübben experience contributed to the project’s wider strategic decision-support approach for hydrogen-ready regions across central Europe.