»The smarter E«: »Ecore One« offers energy self-sufficiency through hydrogen battery

The two partner companies Infener AG (Switzerland) and Ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions (OHS, Germany) have developed a solution under the brand name Evron for the self-sufficient energy supply of buildings – initially primarily single-family homes. The core component is a hydrogen battery developed by OHS.
A PV system with at least 15 kilowatts, according to the concept, in combination with the Ecore One system preinstalled in a container (our picture shows a rendering with the energy container to the right of the bungalow), can ensure the power and heat supply of a single-family home throughout the year. The hydrogen battery, consisting of an electrolyzer, a hydrogen pressure storage system and either a fuel cell or a Wankel engine, serves as long-term storage. Depending on the individual configuration, it is supplemented by various inverters, electric battery storage, a heat pump, a heating and cooling buffer for home air conditioning and two charging points for electric cars. The waste heat generated during electrolysis and operation of the fuel cell is used here so that the heat pump only has to raise the temperature from 60 to 85 degrees.
The container requires an area of 14 square meters with a height of 2.6 meters. The electrical output of the Ecore One S (for small) is eleven, the thermal output 30 kilowatts (kW). Larger systems with 43 kW electric and 120 kW thermal (Ecore One M) or 87 to 200 kW electric and 240 kW thermal (Ecore One XL) are planned.
According to Infener, the first two systems are in operation, and another is being planned. This means that small-scale production can begin after a two-year development period, with annual production of 400 to 500 units targeted by 2027. Currently, the price, which can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements, for example for the necessary hydrogen supply, is around € 400,000 ($ 434,000). In addition, there is an annual cost of € 2,000 for a maintenance contract, including the membrane replacement in the electrolyzer, which is required every five years. Significantly lower prices are envisaged when larger volumes are achieved (booth no. A4,360).
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