About HVS

What is Hydrogen Valley Südbaden?

Hydrogen Valley Südbaden (HVS) is a flagship trinational collaborative project involving Infrastruktur-Trägergesellschaft (ITG) mbH & Co. KG, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences (HSO), Klimapartner Südbaden e.V., and the Pôle Véhicule du Futur.

What does the Hydrogen Valley Südbaden project do?

HVS focuses on hydrogen development pathways and infrastructure integration across the Southern Upper Rhine–High Rhine region, Alsace, and Northwestern Switzerland. The project combines energy system modeling, grid integration, and business model development.
Its main objectives are to:

  • develop energy system models to analyze hydrogen development pathways through 2045,
  • assess the interaction between hydrogen and electricity systems, as well as grid integration, using power flow simulations,
  • develop business models and integrated energy concepts at the municipal level, and
  • support the deployment and procurement of hydrogen infrastructure components for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

What is the motivation?

The South Baden region faces the challenge of decarbonizing its energy- and resource-intensive industries. From 2027 onward, annual hydrogen demand is projected to reach approximately 25,000 tonnes, while current renewable hydrogen production capacity is only around 1,000 tonnes per year, resulting in a substantial supply gap. Connection to Germany's national hydrogen core network is not expected before 2035.
The region's border location presents additional challenges. Situated in a national "infrastructure shadow," differences between the energy systems of neighboring regions in Alsace and Northwestern Switzerland, together with the complex topography of the Black Forest, complicate infrastructure development. Without a reliable supply of sustainable hydrogen, regional industries face the risk of reduced investment and relocation.
HVS is the first RegioWIN project to be implemented jointly with partners from Alsace and Northwestern Switzerland. Through cross-border collaboration, the project aims to accelerate the regional hydrogen economy by bringing hydrogen technologies into practical use, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Partners

Funding
Agencies