CG Elementum completes energy self-sufficient farm with new hydrogen storage pilot project

A new pilot project was presented during the Sustainability Days in Bolzano, Italy (September 6-9, 2022): The Arieshof in South Tyrol is no ordinary farm.

In St. Lorenzen near Bruneck, Italy, real estate project developer CG Elementum, a subsidiary of the Gröner Group, has completed a special pilot project: A completely energy self-sufficient farm, which is at the same time an agricultural, educational and social project. 

Autarky, or independence, was at the heart of the planning for the Arieshof. Together with GKN Hydrogen, a company based in Bruneck (South Tyrol), CG Elementum developed an energy concept that is unique in the world to date: by generating electrical and thermal energy on site on the one hand and using innovative storage methods on the other, the farm can be operated completely self-sufficiently in terms of energy. A 1,020-square-meter photovoltaic system is used for this purpose, generating a good 230,000 kWh of electricity annually. 

A hydrogen storage system from GKN Hydrogen makes it possible to temporarily store this energy and optimally supply the farm with electricity. Through innovative software, the Arieshof can be supplied with up to 94% of its own electricity from the PV system, depending on demand. This corresponds to a CO2 saving of 92 tons per year. The completely new technology of hydrogen storage uses a process with which hydrogen is stored in metal hydride. In contrast to conventional storage media, storage takes place at the same volume and significantly lower pressure. Therefore, this system has a significantly lower hazard potential. No explosion can occur because the hydrogen is bound in the metal hydride. 

The hot water production and heating of the Arieshof is provided by a wood chip plant. The wood required comes from the farm’s own sustainably managed forest of around 19 hectares near St. Lorenzen near Bruneck. In this way, transport emissions are minimized and the self-sufficiency of the farm is strengthened. Burning produces about 10 tons of CO2 annually, which is recaptured through photosynthesis in accordance with a ten-year plan while the huge forest is replanted. 

“The Arieshof is an impressive example of the development of alternative energy concepts,” says Christoph Gröner, founder of CG Elementum and managing director of the Gröner Group. “To drive the energy transition forward in a forward-looking way, we need more creative and site-specific solutions like this that make the most of local conditions.” 

Following the global goals for sustainable development, social, ecological and economic development are to be combined. 

The implementation of the concept includes three pillars: 

• The farm grows mainly cereals and vegetables and processes the products directly on site. 

• Vacation guests are accommodated in farm apartments, and a small restaurant business processes local and regional products. 

• Educational and social projects as well as work training are carried out for children, young people and socially disadvantaged workers. 

This concept with all its sustainable components, such as hydrogen storage, photovoltaic system and wood chip system, was taken in hand by selected visitors at the official side event of the Sustainability Days at the Arieshof. Christoph Gröner personally showed the guests around the farm together with Gottfried Rier (Chief Technical Officer of GKN Hydrogen). Around 70 invited guests were able to see the benefits of the pilot project for themselves. 

Copyright notice:

Exterior Photo: CG Elementum AG / Silbersalz
Hydrogen storage: CG Elementum AG / Fabian Leitner