voestalpine And VERBUND Expand The World's Longest-Running Hydrogen Pilot Plant H2FUTURE In Linz

voestalpine and VERBUND are further extending the successful and one of the world’s longest-running PEM electrolysis plants, H2FUTURE, in Linz. The expansion includes the production, compression, purification, storage, loading, and further use of green hydrogen. To this end, the plant at the voestalpine site—commissioned in 2019 as the world’s largest hydrogen pilot project at the time—will be expanded to include a compression and purification plant, as well as five hydrogen storage tanks. The costs for expanding the research project amount to EUR 16.4 million.

H2FUTURE Follow-up is a joint research project of the international steel and technology group voestalpine and Austria’s largest electricity supply company VERBUND. As an integral part of H2FUTURE Follow-up, the previous research activities on hydrogen production are being systematically continued in terms of quality characteristics of purity and pressure. The hydrogen is stored in the newly constructed storage tanks until it is loaded for transport and further use. Preparations for the plant expansion have been underway for two years; installation of the facilities is now in progress. Functional tests will start in January 2026 and the first research results are expected at the end of 2026. The project ends in December 2029.

voestalpine will be using the green hydrogen in other Group research projects.

With greentec steel, we are pursuing a clear phased plan for transformation. We are already working intensively on the first stage and will be commissioning a green electricity-powered electric arc furnace at both Linz and Donawitz from 2027. At the same time, two coal-based blast furnace units will be retired. In the long run, we are aiming for steel production with net zero-CO2-emissions by 2050. Hydrogen will play an important role here. Together with our partner VERBUND, we will gain further crucial insights through H2FUTURE Follow-up.
Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO voestalpine AG

Joint research project with VERBUND

Within the scope of H2F-Up, VERBUND is focusing on the production, compression, and purification of hydrogen under fluctuating conditions. With a storage capacity of one ton of hydrogen, we are able to compensate for fluctuations in production and therefore ensure a constant supply for our customers. H2FUTURE set standards in 2019 as the world’s largest hydrogen pilot project, and I am delighted that we can continue our successful cooperation with voestalpine and the H2FUTURE Follow-up project.
Michael Strugl, CEO VERBUND

H2FUTURE—the world’s longest-running hydrogen pilot plant
The H2FUTURE plant, which has been in operation since 2019, is one of the world’s longest-running proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis plants. It consists of 12 “stacks,” each with 50 electrolysis cells, and has a connected load of six megawatts. This plant can produce 1,200 cubic meters of green hydrogen per hour. Since its commissioning, it has produced several hundred tons of green hydrogen, and carried out numerous test programs. A “stress test” confirmed the load capacity of the system in continuous operation and its ability to react quickly to large load changes. It is used in particular to compensate for frequency fluctuations in the electricity grid caused by the irregular availability of renewable energies or varying electricity demand.