Empa and Industry Partners Demonstrate Hydrogen Fuel Cells as a High-Efficiency Solution for Managing Peak Energy Demand in District Systems

The fuel cell to the right of the move demonstrator on the Empa campus in Dübendorf not only supplies electricity, but also provides medium temperatures of around 35 °C to the district heating network in the NEST innovation building. Image: Empa / Hälg Group

(IN BRIEF) The H2 districts research project, led by Empa in collaboration with Hälg Group, Osterwalder Group, and H2 Energy AG, has demonstrated the effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cells in supporting district energy systems and reducing strain on power grids. By using locally stored hydrogen to generate both electricity and heat, the system can offset peak electricity demand, improve energy efficiency, and contribute to emissions reduction when powered by renewable hydrogen. Tested at the NEST building in Dübendorf, the system achieved high combined efficiency levels exceeding 90% and reduced peak load costs by over 10%. The study also developed simulation models and validated real-world performance, highlighting hydrogen’s potential as a flexible energy storage solution. While promising for various applications such as urban districts and high-demand facilities, the long-term economic viability will depend on energy pricing, grid costs, and carbon policies.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 20-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Empa, together with Hälg Group, Osterwalder Group, and H2 Energy AG, has successfully concluded the research initiative H2 districts, demonstrating how hydrogen fuel cells can play a meaningful role in supporting power grids within district energy systems. The project highlights the ability of hydrogen-based solutions to stabilize electricity demand during peak periods while also contributing to lower carbon emissions through the use of green hydrogen.

Reducing emissions in the building sector increasingly relies on electrically driven heat pumps. However, during periods of high heating demand—particularly in colder weather—these systems place significant stress on electricity networks. The growing adoption of electric vehicles further intensifies this pressure, making it necessary not only to expand generation capacity but also to strengthen distribution infrastructure.

The project explored an alternative approach by using locally stored hydrogen as an energy buffer, paired with stationary fuel cells capable of generating both electricity and heat. Electricity produced on-site can power heat pumps, while the heat generated as a byproduct can be reused for building heating. In addition, the system can directly support electric vehicle charging, offering a flexible and decentralized way to ease demand on the grid. When hydrogen is produced using surplus renewable energy—such as solar or hydropower—the environmental benefits become even more pronounced.

To evaluate this concept, researchers deployed a specially developed fuel cell system capable of delivering electricity while simultaneously feeding medium-temperature heat of approximately 35°C into a district heating network. This system was integrated into the NEST building and tested on the Empa campus in Dübendorf.

Between October 2023 and September 2025, the research team established operational principles and developed simulation models to optimize the design and use of hydrogen-based peak load systems. A dedicated testing facility was installed alongside the mobility demonstrator move and operated within ehub, Empa’s energy research platform, allowing real-world validation of system performance and emissions reduction potential. The work was carried out within the framework of the SWEET PATHFNDR initiative and supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.

The findings from the two-year study indicate strong performance results. Electrical efficiency reached up to 48%, while thermal efficiency climbed to 50%, resulting in a combined efficiency exceeding 90%. By managing peak loads across the entire NEST building, the system reduced peak-related energy costs by more than 10%. The research also enabled the evaluation of economic factors such as power tariffs and annual energy demand, offering insights into the financial feasibility of similar systems.

Binod Prasad Koirala emphasized that hydrogen fuel cells proved effective in balancing both electrical and thermal demand spikes. The study confirmed that hydrogen-based peak load management is technically viable and can contribute to the control and optimization of complex energy systems. When powered by renewable hydrogen, these systems also provide measurable emissions reductions, reinforcing their role in the transition toward low-carbon, resilient energy infrastructure.

Potential use cases include urban districts and facilities with high and fluctuating energy demand, such as schools, sports facilities, swimming pools, hotels, and logistics hubs. However, the overall economic attractiveness of such solutions will depend on evolving factors including electricity pricing, grid charges, and carbon cost frameworks.

Media Contacts:

Dr. Binod Prasad Koirala
Urban Energy Systems, Empa
+41 58 765 4683
binod.koirala@empa.ch

Andrea Orlando
Hälg Group
T +41 71 243 37 30
andrea.orlando@haelg.ch

Annina Schneider
Communications
+41 58 765 41 07
redaktion@empa.ch

Judith Stüdle
Projektleiterin Marketing und Kommunikation, Hälg Group
+41 71 243 39 21
judith.stuedle@haelg.ch

SOURCE: Empa