With a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, Regionalverkehr Köln has started the construction of a facility for the production of green hydrogen in Mechernich. The project is being developed on the site of the future Training and Further Education Centre for Climate-Neutral and Digital Mobility (AWM) at Peterheide. According to the company, commissioning is planned for the end of 2026.
The facility includes an electrolyser and a publicly accessible refuelling unit. The electrolyser is to be operated exclusively with electricity from renewable sources. The hydrogen produced will supply both RVK's hydrogen buses and private users. The filling station is located in front of the planned AWM building complex to ensure accessibility at all times.
Funding of around 15.1 million euros approved
For construction and installation, RVK submitted two funding applications to the Federal Ministry of Transport, which have now been approved. The project will receive a total of around 15.1 million euros. The filling station accounts for 7.9 million euros, and the electrolyser for 3.1 million euros. Additionally, the ministry approved a supplementary application for 4.1 million euros. The funding rate is thus 80 percent for the filling station and 45 percent for the electrolyser.
Electrolyser with 36-kilogram hourly capacity
According to RVK, the electrolyser can produce 36 kilograms of hydrogen per hour. This corresponds to slightly more than two tank fillings for hydrogen buses, whose tanks typically hold 16 kilograms. The filling station has two pumps with a pressure capacity of 350 bar for refuelling buses. A complete refuelling of a bus takes slightly less than ten minutes. Another pump with a pressure capacity of 700 bar is intended for cars and trucks.
The hydrogen is cooled down to minus 40 degrees Celsius in the facility, as it heats up during the refuelling process. RVK plans to use the waste heat generated during electrolysis as local heating for the AWM buildings. To ensure supply security, key components are manufactured and installed in duplicate. Tanks will also be available on-site to store hydrogen.
Ingenion GmbH is responsible for planning and construction on behalf of RVK. After completion, RVK itself will operate the facility. Some components are currently in production and have already been inspected by RVK engineers at the production sites.
Power supply tendered
RVK has tendered the power supply for the required green electricity. Photovoltaic and wind power plants are under consideration. After the contract is awarded, RVK must closely demonstrate that the facilities of the contracted provider feed electricity into the grid during the electrolyser's production time.
"With the self-production of green hydrogen, RVK secures the supply of its hydrogen bus fleet. This makes us independent of market developments," says RVK Managing Director Marcel Frank. Since the filling station is freely accessible, the company extends this form of propulsion beyond its corporate boundaries into the region. "By producing green hydrogen, RVK can participate in the GHG quota trading (greenhouse gas reduction certificates). The revenues will positively impact the operating costs of our hydrogen bus fleet," Frank adds.
Second facility being built in Bergisch Gladbach
The facility in Mechernich is one of two locations where RVK plans to produce green hydrogen in the future. In parallel, another production facility is being built at the under-construction Green Mobility Hub in Bergisch Gladbach. According to the company, both facilities are scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2026.
The AWM itself is still in the planning phase. A funding application for the 114-million-euro project has been submitted to the district government. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2027.
