Düren’s Hydrogen Bet: The Math Behind a Looming Liability - CleanTechnica

The article examines the economic and operational challenges facing Düren, Germany, in its ambitious hydrogen program, particularly focusing on a new 10 MW green hydrogen production plant under construction at Brainergy Park in Jülich. Unlike Aberdeen, Scotland—a city that independently developed a hydrogen bus fleet and refueling infrastructure with well-documented costs—Düren benefits from federal funding and regional hydrogen initiatives. However, the financial math remains challenging. Aberdeen’s experience revealed high capital and operating expenses, with hydrogen fuel costs reaching £20-25 per kilogram and energy costs per kilometer significantly exceeding those of diesel and battery electric buses. Low utilization rates further exacerbated the economic inefficiency, leading to the early retirement of the fleet. Düren’s hydrogen efforts began with a small fleet of fuel cell buses, which faced technical issues and were later expanded to about 20 buses. Hydrogen refueling is provided at a Shell-operated forecourt station, part of a network that has seen closures due to low demand, reflecting limited passenger fuel