Delft-based Zepp.solutions, a company that specialises in hydrogen fuel cell technology, announced that it has secured a €1.98M grant from the European Just Transition Fund (JTF) to develop a “cutting-edge” fuel cell systems factory.
JTF aims to assist regions heavily dependent on fossil fuels in transitioning to a climate-neutral Europe fairly and equitably. It addresses social, economic, and environmental impacts to ensure a balanced and sustainable energy transition.
Dutch-based JTF operates at a regional level through collaboration between ministries, provinces, and municipalities. It aims to implement a fair transition away from fossil fuels in areas such as Groot-Rijnmond, Groningen, IJmond, West-Brabant, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, and Zuid-Limburg.
Capital utilisation
Zepp.solutions plans to establish a factory in the Greater-Rijnmond region, enhancing its role in Europe’s expanding hydrogen sector.
Backed by the ministries of Economic Affairs and Climate, and Social Affairs and Employment, along with local municipalities, the company seeks to expedite the energy transition and strengthen the job market’s resilience.
Jonas Brendelberger, co-founder of Zepp.solutions, says, “This is an important step towards establishing a new state-of-the-art production facility for our fuel cell systems.”
“It will allow us to further accelerate our technology and scale up the production and deployment of these hydrogen systems in the next few years,” adds Brendelberger.
A new factory in Greater-Rijnmond
The fuel cell factory will focus on manufacturing Zepp’s Y50 and X150 integrated hydrogen fuel cell modules. These modules convert hydrogen into high-voltage electric power for vehicles and machinery.
The factory will support applications like Rotterdam Watertaxi and excavators, as well as a 67-meter long inland shipping vessel. It will also contribute to semi-trucks featuring Zepp’s fuel cell systems, launching later this year.
Brendelberger says, “The Zepp team is excited to increase our contribution to a climate-neutral Europe. Each of our systems ultimately replaces a polluting diesel engine resulting in a reduction of between 111 and 332 metric tons of CO2 per system annually.”
“Our fuel cell technology boasts an impressive power density, surpassing that of our closest competitor by a significant share. This heightened power density enables the integration of hydrogen technology into a wider range of heavy-duty applications.”
“We are maximising the potential impact of the technology,” adds Brendelberger.
Zepp’s upcoming factory will facilitate the production of 1,000 hydrogen fuel cell systems annually, generating about 100 sustainable jobs in the local hydrogen sector.
Brief about Zepp.solutions
Founded in 2017 by Jonas Brendelberger, Jan Bot, Kevin Schreiber, Joost Kortleve, and Remco Duba, Zepp.solutions claims to be one of the leading hydrogen fuel cell system suppliers in Europe. It is a spinoff of TU Delft’s hydrogen racing team ‘Forze’.
The company provides its technologies to automotive manufacturers, shipyards, and OEMs.
The polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell system solutions offered by Zepp include all parts, systems, and software controls required to convert hydrogen gas into electricity with the highest possible efficiency and reliability.
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