The ELYAS project at Bosch’s Bramberg site is transitioning from internal combustion engine parts to PEM electrolysis stack production. This transformation aims to foster renewable hydrogen technology, expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 22.6 million tonnes over a decade. Supported by nearly €52 million from the Innovation Fund, ELYAS enhances local job creation and supply chain development, positively impacting the regional economy.
The ELYAS project is fundamentally transforming Bosch’s facility in Bramberg, Germany, shifting from producing internal combustion engines to manufacturing PEM electrolysis stacks. This transition utilizes existing resources while retaining parts of the current workforce, thus establishing the plant as a key location for electrolyser production and underscoring a move towards renewable hydrogen technologies.
PEM electrolysis stacks are crucial for sustainable hydrogen production, as they efficiently separate water into hydrogen and oxygen with renewable electricity. ELYAS is projected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 22.6 million tonnes over the next decade, highlighting hydrogen technology’s essential role in meeting Europe’s climate objectives.
Leveraging its automotive manufacturing experience, Bosch has developed a reliable production process for PEM electrolyser components. The project will receive nearly €52 million in grants from the Innovation Fund, facilitating the expansion and transformation of the Bamberg plant, which is the company’s second largest globally.
Carola Ruse, Senior Vice President of the Business Unit Electrolyzer Solutions at Bosch, emphasized, “By scaling hydrogen production, Bosch is helping to pave the way for a carbon-neutral future in Europe.” The ELYAS project exemplifies the potential for traditional industries to adapt to new market needs while preserving jobs and boosting local economies.
Additionally, ELYAS, which stands for “smart ElectroLYsis module manufacturing – upscaling with Automotive production technology with a Sustainability focus,” is expected to stimulate job growth and develop a regional supply chain for hydrogen technology, positively affecting the Bamberg area’s economy. The area, with its significant reliance on automotive suppliers and a workforce of around 15,000 in this sector, is projected to gain substantially from this shift.
The Innovation Fund, financed by EU Emissions Trading System revenues, serves as a major funding source for low-carbon technology innovations, focusing on significant projects that can contribute to substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Original Source: cinea.ec.europa.eu
