Wasserstoff autark
Photovoltaics, a battery and HIVE hydrogen storage provide the Austrian Federal Forests’ Luegberg hut with a self-sufficient power supply — in operation since September 2025.
Completed · in operation© HydroSolid GmbHThe project
At the Austrian Federal Forests’ Luegberg hut in Waidhofen an der Ybbs, an energy system combines photovoltaics, a battery and hydrogen into a self-sufficient power supply. HydroSolid, the Federal Forests and GoWell implemented the system in the research project “Wasserstoff autark”.
The project demonstrates a self-sufficient energy supply for remote sites and critical infrastructure — as an alternative to fossil-fuel backup power systems. On 8 September 2025, the system was officially handed over to the Federal Forests and transferred into operational use.
HydroSolid’s contribution
HydroSolid led the consortium and contributed its low-pressure hydrogen storage technology. When the sun is shining, the photovoltaic system supplies the hut directly, and the battery serves as short-term storage. At times of higher demand, in poor weather or at night, a fuel cell supplies electricity from the hydrogen in the HydroSolid HIVE storage units.
The battery has a storage capacity of 10 kWh, and the HIVE Mini hydrogen storage unit holds up to 700 g of hydrogen. In the basic configuration, the total storage capacity of the system is approx. 21.2 kWh. An integrated inverter with an output power of up to 2,500 W ensures that the loads are supplied.
Key facts and project status
- Official handover and joint commissioning on 8 September 2025; research project completed as of 30 September 2025.
- Since the system was taken over, the hydrogen storage has been refilled about once or twice a year.
- According to feedback from the hut owners, the power supply via the system works flawlessly.
- Funded under the KIRAS security research programme, financed by the BMF and supported by the FFG.
