The contract for the first hydrogen-heated housing estate in Poland has been signed

SES Hydrogen Energy, in collaboration with the Municipality of Śrem and Śremskie TBS, has entered into an agreement to develop a hydrogen-heated housing estate and a hydrogen boiler room in Śrem. The contract was officially signed at the Śrem Museum, marking a significant milestone for the project.

Con-Project Sp. z o.o., in partnership with SES Hydrogen Energy, will oversee the design and implementation of the new hydrogen-heated housing estate on ul. Farna, under the auspices of Śremskie TBS Sp. z o.o. and the Śrem municipality. SES Hydrogen Energy, whose major shareholder is Sescom SA listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, will spearhead the design of Poland’s first hydrogen boiler room tailored for residential buildings, complete with essential infrastructure.

This initiative builds upon a previous letter of intent signed in 2022 between SES Hydrogen and Śremskie TBS, outlining their commitment to deploying zero-emission hydrogen boiler technology to heat the new residential development in Śrem. The project underscores Poland’s proactive steps towards sustainable energy solutions, leveraging hydrogen technology to reduce carbon emissions in residential heating.

Modern heating system

The signed agreement marks a significant step towards realizing ambitious plans for a pioneering hydrogen boiler room in Śrem, Poland. This initiative involves the commencement of design documentation for a hydrogen-powered heating system that will supply heat to 195 planned apartments. The system is designed to integrate a hydrogen boiler room utilizing hydrogen and oxygen combustion, alongside a heating installation incorporating brine/water ground heat pumps.

During the official event held at the invitation of Śrem Mayor Adam Lewandowski and Śrem TBS President Wiesław Małaszniak, prominent figures including Marek Woźniak, Marshal of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship, and other regional officials and stakeholders participated. This included representatives from the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Assembly, municipal companies, and various governmental, scientific, and financial institutions.

The hydrogen boiler room will serve as a pivotal component of the comprehensive project, providing hot water for domestic use and central heating for the residential buildings. Central to its design is a hydrogen-oxygen boiler with associated gas preparation facilities. The infrastructure will encompass modules for hydrogen and oxygen generation using electrolyzers, a water preparation system for electrolysis, storage facilities for hydrogen and oxygen, and sophisticated power supply and control systems for operational processes and heat exchange.

The hydrogen boiler proposed for this investment represents a groundbreaking ecological heating solution tailored for medium- and large-scale applications. By utilizing hydrogen and oxygen as fuel sources within a closed-loop system, it aims to eliminate emissions of COx, NOx, SOx, and particulate matter. Furthermore, the system includes provisions for partial water recycling to support sustainable water resource management.

This ambitious project underscores Poland’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions through innovative hydrogen technologies, setting a precedent for future developments in green heating infrastructure.

Hydrogen-heated housing estate – multi-faceted benefits

The introduction of hydrogen technology in residential heating marks a significant stride towards achieving climate and environmental goals in the Śrem commune, while enhancing the daily comfort of its residents.

“Sustainable development has been a priority for the Śrem commune for years. In our efforts to meet local needs and enhance environmental quality, we have implemented various initiatives: subsidizing the replacement of coal heating, piloting smart waste management systems, producing soil improvers from waste, and powering 50% of the municipal fleet with LNG/CNG,” emphasizes Adam Lewandowski, Mayor of Śrem. “A hydrogen-powered housing estate represents a monumental advancement in multi-family building heating systems. It’s a project of civilizational importance, and the potential of hydrogen technology encourages us to embark on this innovative and pioneering venture.”

“When we began collaborating with Śrem TBS and the Śrem Commune last year, integrating hydrogen into the decarbonization of the building sector held immense promise, though few had seriously considered such a possibility,” notes Mateusz Sołtysiak, President of the Management Board of SES Hydrogen Energy. “Just a year later, we are facing revised energy performance directives, mandating all newly constructed buildings to be emission-free by 2028. Hydrogen estate projects like this one in Śrem are not only innovative on a national scale but also pivotal across Europe, aligning with regulatory objectives while ensuring heat consumers’ independence from fluctuations in energy and fuel markets.”

“The contract signed today pertains to the design of a complex of multi-family residential buildings in Śrem. While the construction methods and basic heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are familiar and proven, incorporating hydrogen technology required innovative design solutions,” explains Ryszard Grzęda, President of the Management Board of Con-Project Sp. z o. o. “Prefabricated elements, ceiling heating systems, and ground heat pump systems are well-known variants. However, integrating hydrogen technology into a central heating and hot water system based on ground heat pumps posed unique challenges, necessitating a fresh approach from our designers.”

“This project represents the pinnacle of innovation for our company, and we are proud to be part of its realization,” adds Grzęda.

Overall, the hydrogen-powered housing estate in Śrem exemplifies forward-thinking urban planning, setting a precedent for cleaner, more sustainable residential developments that could inspire similar initiatives nationwide and beyond.

Source: press release