Green Hydrogen Perspectives in Switzerland and the International Hydrogen Marketplace
Cuderman, the Hydrogen Market Intelligence & Strategy Lead at Axpo, presented plans and perspectives of Axpo, regarding green hydrogen production and distribution. Maliszewska, a Data Scientist at Localiser RLI GmbH, presented insights from Localiser’s Hydrogen Marketplace.
Presenting Axpo – the largest energy producer in Switzerland
Cuderman explained, that the cantons and cantonal utilities of northeastern Switzerland fully own the company. It operates in over 30 countries and 40 markets, with 110 years of experience, an adjusted EBIT of 2.689 MCHF, around 7,000 employees, and an annual energy production of approximately 33,000 Mio kWh. Its portfolio includes hydrogen plants, wind, photovoltaic (PV), nuclear, biomass, and combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) energy sources.
Axpo’s strategy for 2030 involves initial steps with grid hydrogen and developing other renewable energy assets, such as onshore wind. The company leverages its significant experience in optimising and dispatching energy assets, viewing hydrogen as a future traded commodity.
Axpo’s hydrogen journey began almost four years ago, and it currently has a team of 15 working on hydrogen projects. The company is at the forefront of developing the Swiss market, operating a hydrogen production plant in Switzerland, and pursuing early-stage projects in Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Italy, Iceland, and Norway.
Cuderman highlighted the power procurement challenge, noting that higher power procurement costs lead to higher hydrogen production costs
Cuderman highlighted the power procurement challenge, noting that higher power procurement costs lead to higher hydrogen production costs. Doubling electricity prices can increase hydrogen prices by approximately 50%.
He discussed the optimal electrolyser load, explaining that increased utilisation decreases fixed costs per kg of hydrogen but increases variable costs due to optimisation challenges. An equilibrium is found at about 7,000 operating hours annually, making an electrolyser utilisation of at least 4,500-5,000 hours per year sensible.
Efficient electricity procurement and optimised electrolyser dispatch are essential for reducing production costs.
Cuderman also addressed challenges along the hydrogen value chain, including competition with cheaper fossil fuels, electrification, infrastructure, green certificates, standards, interfaces, CO2 sources, prices, and willingness to pay.
In Switzerland, hydrogen projects include Reichenau and Domat/Ems, which began production in Q2 2024, and upcoming projects in Bürglen, Altdorf, Wildegg-Brugg, and Eglisau-Glattfelden. In Italy, the Valle Peligna project is in the detailed planning stages.
At Domat/Ems, Axpo’s hydrogen production is directly connected to a run-of-river plant, benefiting from streamlined permitting and road access. The plant uses a 2.5 MW electrolyser stack with a nominal capacity, producing 45 kg of hydrogen per hour at 30 bar pressure and 99.999% purity.
The hydrogen buffer has a volume of 13 m3, and the compressor operates at 530 bar output pressure with a peak power consumption of 110 kW.
Hydrogen marketplace as a platform for stakeholders
Maliszewska presented the international hydrogen marketplace as a platform for stakeholders to map supply and demand and identify cooperation partners. The marketplace accelerates hydrogen infrastructure development by matching business partners along the hydrogen value chain.
Registration is free, and base functionalities are implemented in countries in the Baltic Sea region. The marketplace has over 500 registrations, 182 hydrogen offers amounting to 120,000 t/a by 2035, and 32 searches for 168,000 t/a needed by 2035.
To increase the number of offers, the Localiser interviews hydrogen companies to understand their project needs and planning processes
Key companies involved include GP Joule, RWZ Group, Axpo AG, EERTRAG AG, and Hy2gen AG, with cooperation programs like DurchH2atmen and the Renewable Energy Hamburg Cluster Agency.
Effective demand mapping strategies require clear information on electrolyser locations, local conditions, usage patterns, and adoption rates. Risks include potential overcapacity in electrolyser production, financial losses, undercapacity, supply shortages, and missed opportunities.
The project HyTruck helps public authorities design a network of hydrogen refuelling stations for large trucks, bringing the region closer to zero–emissions in road freight transport.
HyTruck Breakfast Briefing is planned as a monthly event meant to work as a transnational exchange channel for information related to hydrogen-fueled heavy road transport and hydrogen refuelling stations.
The Breakfast Briefings aim to distribute and share this information to all parties interested in hydrogen-powered mobility and refuelling infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region and at the European level.
