Germany’s energy landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with two major hydrogen grid-balancing projects poised to reshape the sector’s dynamics. ITM Power, a leading player in the green hydrogen arena, has been selected by Stablegrid Group to supply electrolyser technology for these ambitious ventures, which aim to tackle grid stability issues and bolster renewable energy integration.
The first project, ‘Netzbrücke 410’, will be situated in Rüstringen, Germany. ITM Power will provide a 30MW green hydrogen production plant, featuring its NEPTUNE V containerised electrolysers. The second project, scheduled to commence pre-front-end engineering design work in January 2026, will add a substantial 680MW of indoor electrolyser capacity. Both projects will utilise underground caverns for hydrogen storage, a strategic approach designed to absorb discrepancies between electricity supply and hydrogen consumption through a process known as ‘predispatch’.
This operation mode, dubbed ‘Netzbrücke’ or ‘grid bridge’, is primarily designed to mitigate the need for ‘redispatch’ in the German electricity grid. Redispatch, a grid operator intervention used to eliminate bottlenecks, has become increasingly necessary as renewable energy expands. However, it comes at a cost. According to industry data, negative redispatch currently results in annual costs of €2bn to €3bn to German taxpayers. By reducing these costs to zero and putting surplus energy to productive use, the complementary hybrid redispatch or predispatch method is expected to deliver significant cost savings and support the further expansion of renewable energy in Germany.
The implications of these projects are far-reaching. By providing grid-friendly loads and expanding hydrogen production capacities, they are seen as essential for supporting the growth of renewable energy in the region. Moreover, they could set a precedent for other countries grappling with similar grid stability issues as they transition to renewable energy sources.
Oliver Feller, a member of Stablegrid’s management board, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating: “With ITM Power, we have a strong and experienced partner at our side who brings the technical expertise and excellence required to implement system-stabilising hydrogen projects of this magnitude reliably.”
Dennis Schulz, CEO of ITM Power, echoed this sentiment, asserting that “Partnering with Stablegrid on these landmark grid-balancing projects in Germany reinforces ITM’s position at the forefront of the energy transition in Europe’s largest economy.”
As these projects progress, they will undoubtedly spark debate and challenge norms within the energy sector. The success of these ventures could accelerate the adoption of similar strategies elsewhere, potentially reshaping the global energy landscape. Conversely, any setbacks could provide valuable lessons, informing the development of future projects. Regardless of the outcome, these projects are a clear indication of the growing role that hydrogen is set to play in the energy transition.