BMW Connects Leipzig Plant to Hydrogen Network - BMW's Leipzig Plant to Revolutionize Auto Production with Hydrogen Pipeline
BMW is set to revolutionise automobile production with the world's first plant supplied with hydrogen via a pipeline. The German automaker has signed contracts with Mitnetz Gas and Ontras Gastransport for the pipeline's construction and connection to Germany's nationwide hydrogen network. The hydrogen supplier is H2 Green Steel, with whom BMW has finalised a contract.
BMW's Leipzig plant is at the forefront of this innovative project. The plant has already installed fuel-flexible burners in its paint shop, capable of running on both natural gas and hydrogen. This forward-thinking approach aims to reduce emissions and increase efficiency in energy-intensive processes like dryers in the paint shop.
The pipeline, expected to be operational by mid-2027, will replace truck deliveries, significantly reducing BMW's carbon footprint. Currently, over 230 forklifts and tugger trains with hydrogen fuel cell drives are in use at the Leipzig plant, demonstrating BMW's commitment to hydrogen technology.
The hydrogen backbone network is projected to span 9,000 kilometers of pipelines by 2032, further integrating BMW's Leipzig plant into Germany's green energy infrastructure.
BMW's Leipzig plant is poised to become a trailblazer in sustainable automobile production. The pipeline, set to supply hydrogen by mid-2027, will not only reduce emissions but also connect the plant to Germany's nationwide hydrogen network. This marks a significant step towards BMW's goal of using hydrogen on a larger scale in energy-intensive production processes.
