Profile

Kevin Schalk is responsible for and heading the operation of the Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven (HLB). The HLB is a research and testing infrastructure built by Fraunhofer IWES from 2020 – 2024 with public funds as part of the EFRE-project "Hydrogen - Green Gas for Bremerhaven" and has recently started its operation. Fraunhofer IWES secures investments in technological developments through validation, shortens innovation cycles, accelerates certification procedures, and increases planning accuracy by means of innovative measurement methods in the wind energy and hydrogen technology sectors. Kevin’s main responsibilities are the coordination of the research and validation activities at the testing facility as well as the efficient operation of the test field, which includes procurement of electricity in accordance with RFNBO criteria to produce renewable hydrogen as well as the sale of that hydrogen. One of the main research questions is how to integrate hydrogen into existing and new systems during the energy transition. Key operational offerings are the independent validation and optimization of the dynamic performance of hydrogen technology units and their safe and reliable integration into existing and upcoming forms of energy systems. The daily operations of the hydrogen are also a key responsibility in his day-to-day work. This encompasses coordinating the power supply, hydrogen offtake, appointment of staff, deriving and scheduling operation slots for the plants on the lab as well as overseeing and conducting troubleshooting and maintenance tasks. Kevin is a certified technician for a 200kW PEM-fuel cell system, and a large alkaline electrolyser system and has training in operating and maintaining a 1 MW PEM electrolyser, hydrogen piston membrane compressors and high pressure hydrogen fueling systems. Especially for the purposes of validation, he and his group are involved in several international activities for standardization of hydrogen technology units. This includes memberships in the steering committee of the DNV-led Joint Industry Project “Certification for Hydrogen Production Systems by Electrolysis”, the Ad-Hoc Group Hydrogen of the German Strategy Forum for Standardisation and the steering committee of the Normungsroadmap Wasserstoff. On the international level, Kevin is acting as the convenor for ISO TC 197/SC1/WG4 “Water electrolysers in electricity grid services” and has therefore a decisive role in the publication of ISO TS 22734-2 “Hydrogen generators using water electrolysis – Testing guidance for performing electricity grid service” Kevin Schalk is deputy chairman of the Bremerhaven local hydrogen network "H2BX - Wasserstoff für die Region Bremerhaven e.V.". The main emphasis here lies on networking activities especially regarding the technological and scientific players of the region as well as communication and transfer of knowledge for the general public. He has been active in the network since 2017.