Extremadura inaugurates its first green hydrogen pilot plant

Extremadura has taken a significant step toward renewable energy innovation with the launch of its first pilot industrial plant for green hydrogen production in Zafra, Badajoz. This pioneering project, led by Deutz Spain, places the Spanish region at the forefront of the development of green hydrogen. 

The pilot plant makes use of excess solar energy from the company’s photovoltaic panels to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis, a process in which electricity separates hydrogen from water. The hydrogen produced is stored under pressure and later used to generate power with a generator set powered by a Deutz TCG 7.8 H2 combustion engine.  

This facility is the first in Spain to cover the entire hydrogen value chain, incorporating the first hydrogen combustion engine manufactured by Deutz to operate in the country.  

This project aims to validate the operational and technical feasibility of hydrogen systems in an industrial setting. Future phases will focus on improving the prototypes and optimizing hydrogen storage and management systems. This will ensure both the stability and efficiency of energy production, showcasing the potential of hydrogen as a crucial component in Spain’s energy transition, especially in periods when solar energy is unavailable, such as at night. 

UNIFHY stakeholders 

Additionally, the Iberian Center for Energy Storage Research (CIIAE) and Fundecyt, two of the UNIFHY stakeholders, collaborates in the initiative offering research support. This exemplifies a successful integration of industry and research institutions. 

This milestone reinforces Extremadura’s pivotal role in Spain's transition to renewable energy, furthering its potential as a key player in green hydrogen production and sustainable industrial practices across Europe.