Project overview
Objectives, scope, and technical context.
voestalpine and VERBUND operate H2FUTURE, a Linz-based project that ranks among the world’s leading research initiatives on the use of green hydrogen in industrial steel production. The partners have been investigating how hydrogen can replace fossil fuels in energy-intensive processes since 2018.
In the summer of 2025, the pilot plant was expanded: electrolysis capacity was doubled, and the storage infrastructure was strategically upgraded so that green hydrogen could be integrated into industrial applications with even greater flexibility and reliability. Ultimately, the project aims to generate key insights for decarbonizing the steel industry on an industrial scale.
The engineered solution
Technical, operational, and infrastructural.
To support the new project phase, five stationary low-pressure hydrogen storage vessels were combined to form a modular storage solution. Designed for storage pressures of up to 50 bar, they provide the key link between the electrolysis system and industrial use.
The vessels buffer hydrogen as needed and ensure a flexible supply for the plant, even under varying production conditions. Sizing and integration were specifically tailored for stationary use in an industrial research project.
The challenge
Technical and regulatory core requirements.
The key challenge lay in storing green hydrogen safely and flexibly while maintaining operational reliability in an industrial research environment. The storage vessels had to serve as a reliable buffer between electrolysis and use while meeting stringent safety requirements, providing pressure resistance, and ensuring long-term availability.
At the same time, the solution’s design had to accommodate fluctuating renewable power availability and ensure continuous operation of the pilot plant while meeting all relevant technical and regulatory requirements.
VAKO’s contribution
Engineering and fabrication – all from VAKO.
VAKO handled the development, design, and fabrication of the five low-pressure hydrogen storage vessels for H2FUTURE. The storage vessels are custom-designed for stationary use in an industrial environment and meet the highest requirements for safety, efficiency, and continuous operation. VAKO also handled delivery and provided technical support during installation, including the provision of an installation supervisor.
Leveraging our long-standing engineering and fabrication expertise, we ensured that the storage solution was optimally integrated into the existing infrastructure, while ensuring reliability, compliance with applicable standards, and long-term usability in one of Europe’s most demanding hydrogen projects.
Results and added value
Reliable performance and long-term benefits.
The expansion of H2FUTURE provides a high-performance, expandable storage infrastructure that allows green hydrogen to be used flexibly on an industrial scale. VAKO’s low-pressure storage vessels play a key role in keeping the plant reliable in operation, stable during testing, and flexible in use.
The project delivers valuable insights for decarbonizing energy-intensive industries and demonstrates how hydrogen technology can be reliably integrated into industrial processes – an important step toward climate-neutral steel production and a blueprint for future large-scale projects.
