In the Ruhr, energy issues are directly linked to jobs and competitiveness. Because many processes cannot be electrified, hydrogen is a necessity here. At the same time, the dense industrial landscape and existing infrastructure make the region a place where transformation can be put into practice.
Energy supply as a location issue
Härterei Reese has been using heat treatment processes such as case hardening, nitriding, and surface hardening for 75 years, which require temperatures of up to 950°C and large-scale furnace systems. The Bochum site requires around 20 million kWh of gas and 10 million kWh of electricity annually for these processes.