Innovative Approaches to Hydrogen Production Automation by Festo

Automating Hydrogen Production: Insights from Festo's Thomas Bertsch

In a recent conversation with Thomas Bertsch, the Head of Process Industries in North America at Festo, we explored the company's latest advancements in automating hydrogen production. With hydrogen emerging as a critical clean energy source, Festo's innovations are crucial for the long-term sustainability of energy-intensive sectors like manufacturing, processing, and transport.

Understanding Automation in Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen can be produced from various sources, including natural gas and water (H2O). However, Bertsch emphasizes that effective automation is vital for ensuring efficient production, storage, and transport of hydrogen. He mentioned that Festo has dedicated significant resources toward developing automation solutions that not only accelerate project timelines but also reduce installation and component costs while ensuring safety.

Bertsch noted, "Festo's modular approach to hydrogen automation allows for smooth scaling from pilot programs to full-scale production facilities. We prioritize component availability, cost competitiveness, and substantial application support."

The Shift Towards Modular Automation Solutions

One of the key advancements in Festo's approach is the development of modular hydrogen generation systems. Bertsch pointed out the inadequacy of building Distributed Control Systems (DCS) at every point of hydrogen generation. In response, the industry has shifted towards modular hydrogen generation skids based on processes like steam methane reforming and electrolysis.

"Modularity not only reduces costs but also enhances flexibility," Bertsch explained. By scaling production output through the addition of skids, Festo's innovations, such as the VTUG-EX valve manifold, have optimized the control panel footprint, which is crucial for deployment in hazardous locations.

Innovations in Transportation Solutions

Transporting hydrogen safely and efficiently is another pivotal aspect of its production lifecycle. Bertsch highlighted Festo's collaboration with GP Joule to design a hydrogen transportation trailer featuring the HY.Runner intelligent control system. This advanced system monitors and manages all operational conditions to enhance safety while simplifying integration with filling and extraction points.

Safety: At the Core of Hydrogen Production

Given the highly explosive nature of hydrogen, safety continues to be a primary focus in all innovations. Bertsch pointed out Festo’s dedication to developing cost-effective safety circuits compliant with SIL 3 standards. These systems, composed of a manifold, proportional control valves, and solenoid valves, improve safety during operations.

Festo's solutions streamline safety integrations, reducing complexity in safety architecture, which often challenges those familiar with traditional designs.

Enhancing DCS Production for Hydrogen

Bertsch also discussed improvements Festo makes in the traditional DCS production approach. Conventional systems often utilize bulky control panels requiring numerous inputs, leading to high material and installation costs. Festo's strategy involves replacing these traditional systems with simpler solutions.

"By eliminating the need for valve positioners and opting for valve manifolds connected through pneumatic tubing to proportional control valves, our clients can save up to 50% on costs," he explained. This reduction in complexity results in smaller control panels, increasing uptime and simplifying maintenance.

Conclusion: The Future of Hydrogen Automation with Festo

Festo's relentless pursuit of innovation in automating hydrogen production promises to advance the clean energy landscape. Their commitment to modularity, safety, and cost-effectiveness signals a significant step towards making hydrogen a more accessible and dependable energy source. As industries look for sustainable energy solutions, Festo stands at the forefront, ready to propel the adoption of hydrogen technologies. For those interested in learning more about Festo's hydrogen solutions, a range of resources is available on their website, providing insights into the future of green hydrogen production.