HygO & HyTra - Namibia & Südafrika

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Recording of Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 14:56 .

Innovative Solutions for Power and Hydrogen Systems

Efforts are ongoing to enhance hydrogen production and address power outages in various regions through community collaboration and advanced technology integration. An institute engaged in manufacturing is pioneering a hydrogen microgrid system, creating a Reference Factory H2 to streamline the supply chain. Key components include a 10-kilowatt electrolyzer and an 8.4-kilowatt fuel cell, improving economic efficiency while replacing traditional diesel generators. In Namibia, a solar-powered microgrid supports wastewater treatment, facilitating energy sharing with the grid during peak times. Effective system integration emphasizes the importance of understanding components and requires continuous training for local populations to ensure successful operation and maintenance. Local knowledge is vital, as seen in projects aimed at mitigating power outages through sustainable solutions. Overall, these initiatives highlight the significance of community involvement, robust design, and data-driven approaches in advancing energy systems.

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Dr. Mario Lindner
Research Assistent - Transfer and Use of Hydrogen Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
Germany

Discover how green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are transforming decentralized energy systems worldwide. This session will be presenting hands-on experience from pioneering projects in Thailand, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa. Find out how solar-powered hydrogen microgrids can replace diesel generators, strengthen energy resilience and enable short- to long-term storage, while supporting environmental and climate goals. Project partners including German SMEs and research institutes, share insights on lessons learned, local benefits and the replication potential of these systems. Selected projects were implemented with the support from the Export Initiative Environmental Protection, a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Dr. Kathrin Ebner
Tech Lead Hydrogen and E-Mobility
Munich RE
Germany

To Talk

Tom Mikus
Programme Manager International Energy Concepts
NOW GmbH / National Organisation for Sustainable Mobility
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Dr. -Ing. Jonas Pluschke
Research associate
Hochschule Bochum - Sustainable Technologies Laboratory
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Manfred Limbrunner
Head of Sales, Marketing & Business Development
H2 Powercell GmbH
Germany

Dr. Philipp Blechinger
Head of Unit Off-Grid Systems
Reiner Lemoine Institut gGmbH
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Michele Velendric
Director
Green Power Brains GmbH
Germany

Dr. Mario Lindner
Research Assistent - Transfer and Use of Hydrogen Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
Germany

Manfred Limbrunner
Head of Sales, Marketing & Business Development
H2 Powercell GmbH
Germany

Dr. Kathrin Ebner
Tech Lead Hydrogen and E-Mobility
Munich RE
Germany

Dr. Philipp Blechinger
Head of Unit Off-Grid Systems
Reiner Lemoine Institut gGmbH
Germany

To Talk

Further Content
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The German PV and Battery Storage Market

The first of its kind, this study offers an overview of the photovoltaics and battery storage market in Germany.

Rutger Schlatmann and Angelika Harter
Perovskites: The Race for the Future of PV?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

HZB researchers explore perovskite tandem solar cells, efficiency gains, and the challenges of bringing the technology to market.

Publications
Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025–2029

SolarPower Europe’s annual Global Market Outlook for Solar Power is the most authoritative market analysis for the solar sector.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Solar Made in the EU

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

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Despite strong research capabilities and the presence of leading production equipment suppliers, Europe has been struggling to rebuild competitive wafer-to-module manufacturing, while the USA and India have enabled a local renaissance in solar manufacturing. In Europe, even long-established inverter manufacturers have been losing considerable ground. With the EU's Net Zero Industry Act yet to deliver momentum, attention is turning to the upcoming Industry Accelerator Act. This session examines how policy, investment and value-chain strategies can strengthen domestic manufacturing and increase internal value creation.Key topics:Overview of EU and national policy frameworks to support local manufacturingStatus of Europe's solar manufacturing value chainInvestment gaps and competitiveness challenges Strategies for triggering a sustainable solar manufacturing revival 

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Off-Grid: PV-Based Hydrogen Microgrid Projects Around the World

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

premium account

Discover how green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are transforming decentralized energy systems worldwide. This session will be presenting hands-on experience from pioneering projects in Thailand, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa. Find out how solar-powered hydrogen microgrids can replace diesel generators, strengthen energy resilience and enable short- to long-term storage, while supporting environmental and climate goals. Project partners including German SMEs and research institutes, share insights on lessons learned, local benefits and the replication potential of these systems. Selected projects were implemented with the support from the Export Initiative Environmental Protection, a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. 

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