Starting the Journey to Energy Independence: Hydrogen Pilot Plant in Essen (Oldenburg) Begins Full Operations
On June 12, 2025, the official launch of the hydrogen pilot plant by schrand.energy in Essen (Oldenburg) was celebrated with a ceremonial event marking the start of full operational mode. This innovative facility enables, for the first time, year-round energy supply for a site entirely from renewable sources – made possible by hydrogen technology.
Approximately 30 invited guests from politics, industry, and academia took part in the event. Among them were Lower Saxony’s Minister for the Environment, Christian Meyer, District Administrator Johann Wimberg, and the Mayor of Essen (Oldenburg), Heiner Kreßmann.
At the heart of the event was the presentation of a climate-friendly, self-sufficient energy solution for industrial applications – a flagship project demonstrating the energy transition in practice. A symbolic and striking highlight of the program was the oxyhydrogen gas demonstration – a visible and audible proof of successful electrolysis and the production of pure hydrogen at the facility.
Environment Minister Christian Meyer emphasized:
„This project reflects the importance of such pilot initiatives for the energy transition. With the Schrand Energy Plant, we are showing how regional value creation, energy security, and climate protection can go hand in hand. We are also gaining valuable insights that can be applied to other hydrogen use cases.“
The hydrogen facility makes it possible to store surplus energy from renewable sources and retrieve it when needed. This ensures continuous energy supply even when solar or wind output fluctuates – a milestone on the path to energy autonomy.
Project leader Paul Hoffmann highlighted:
„With this project, we have demonstrated what is already technically possible today – a sustainable and decentralized energy supply enabling year-round use of renewable sources. Full energy autonomy is the final stage of expansion.“
Based on the insights gained, additional plants are planned – tailored to the needs of customers in industry, commerce, and agriculture. The hydrogen produced can be used directly in production – for energy supply, process heat generation, as a raw material in industrial applications, or as a zero-emission fuel for vehicles and machinery.
Managing Director Timo Schrand, who transitioned from pipeline construction into this new business field, offered a forward-looking perspective:
„We’re moving from idea to product, from prototype to market, from start-up to provider of systematic solutions. We don’t just want to imagine hydrogen – we want to make it applicable, affordable, and integrable. Climate protection, energy independence, and innovation require concrete solutions – and that’s exactly what schrand.energy stands for.“
As part of the Hydrogen Week (WOCHE DES WASSERSTOFFS), schrand.energy will open the plant to the public once again:
On June 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., everyone is warmly invited to visit the site, learn more about the technology, and discover tailored solutions for their own energy needs.
More information available at:
Woche des Wasserstoffs! – Schrand Energy
Energieautark dank Wasserstoff unsere Containerloesung | WDW
